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Hurricane Tracker: Follow Every Storm's Path
15 Aug
Summary
- USA TODAY's Hurricane Tracker offers real-time storm path updates.
- The Saffir-Simpson Scale rates hurricanes by wind speed only.
- Major hurricanes (Category 3+) cause catastrophic damage and loss of life.
The USA TODAY Hurricane Tracker offers comprehensive, real-time updates on all named storms. This tool provides the latest storm locations, tracks, wind speeds, and the extent of tropical storm and hurricane-force winds, all drawing from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data.
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is used to categorize hurricanes, rating them from 1 to 5 based exclusively on maximum sustained wind speed. It is crucial to understand that this scale does not account for other life-threatening hazards like storm surge, heavy rainfall flooding, or tornadoes. Hurricanes of any category can produce these deadly conditions, necessitating proactive protective measures, including evacuations from surge-vulnerable areas.
Category 3 storms and above are classified as major hurricanes, capable of inflicting devastating to catastrophic wind damage and significant loss of life. Property damage potential increases dramatically with each category. Category 1 storms bring very dangerous winds of 74-95 mph causing some damage, while Category 5 storms feature winds exceeding 157 mph, leading to widespread destruction and uninhabitable conditions for extended periods.
