Hurricane Classifications 
By Wind Speed

Tropical Cyclone (Hurricane)
Classifications

Tropical storms and hurricanes are rated according to their wind speed. They become named hurricanes once the winds become 65 knots.

This is how tropical storms are classified.

Tropical Depression (numbered)     20 - 34 knots

Tropical Storm (named)     35 - 64 knots

Hurricane (named)     65 knots or higher

Saffir-Simpson Scale

Category Wind     KTS Wind  MPH Pressure- MB
1      65 -             82 74 -         95 > 980
2      83 - 95        96 - 110         965 - 979
3      96 - 113        111 - 130        945 - 964
4       114 - 135      131 - 155        920 - 944 a
5       >135             > 155               < 920

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