Hurricane Resource Center

Hurricane Classifications


  Barometric Pressure Wind Speed Storm Surge Damage
Tropical depression: maximum sustained winds of 39 mph.
Tropical storm: 40-73 mph.
Category 1 more than 980 mb 74 - 95 mph 4 -5 ft. Minimal
Category 2 965 - 979 mb 96 - 110 mph 6 - 8 ft. Moderate
Category 3 945 - 964 mb 111 - 130 mph 9 - 12 ft. Extensive
Category 4 920 - 944 mb 131 - 155 mph 13 - 18 ft. Extreme
Category 5 919 mb Over 155 mph Over 18 ft. Catastrophic