How Hurricanes Are Categorized on an Imperfect Scale

As Tropical Storm Idalia gathered strength in the Gulf of Mexico, forecasters predicted it would move north toward Florida’s west coast, making landfall as a Category 3 hurricane. That’s a major storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which is cited routinely (if rarely by its full name) during the Atlantic hurricane season. The scale, however, only captures wind speeds, which are just part of what can make a hurricane dangerous to people and property. Rain and storm surges aren’t accounted for in the measure and can be a hurricane’s most damaging elements.