Classification of tropical cyclones

SAFFIR SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE

CATEGORY

1-minute average windspeeds

I

64 to 82 knots
II

83 to 95 knots

III

96 to 112 knots

IV

113 to 136 knots

V

137 knots or higher



Windspeeds below hurricane strength are categorised as follows

Tropical depression

Less than 34 knots

Tropical storm

35 to 63 knots





AUSTRALIAN CATEGORIES for TROPICAL CYCLONES

Category

10-minute average windspeeds

Description of sustained winds

Windspeeds in gusts

1

34 to 47 knots

GALES

90 - 125 km/h

2

48 to 63 knots

DESTRUCTIVE

125 - 164 km/h

3

64 to 84 knots

VERY DESTRUCTIVE

165 - 224 km/h

4

85 to 115 knots

225 - 279 km/h

5

116 knots and
higher

280 km/h and higher

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