Here is what the scale means: The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale was first developed in the early 1970s by Herbert Saffir, a consulting engineer who lived in Florida, and Dr. Robert Simpson, who was then director of the National Hurricane Center.

Researchers at the University of South Florida have proposed a new Tropical Cyclone Severity Scale that factors in wind, storm surge and rainfall. Experts say the rating system could address shortcomings of the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Since 1971, hurricanes have been rated using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS). Researchers at the University of Florida say this scale needs to be updated because it doesn’t portray the deadliest impacts of a tropical cyclone.

Storm surge and floodng are the deadliest aspects of hurricanes, yet the current scale uses wind information. University of South Florida scholars propose a new idea.

Hurricane Humberto showed rapid intensification and became a Category 5 storm at the 5 p.m. Saturday advisory from the National Hurricane Center. Humberto is now a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Kiko intensified into a major hurricane in the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday at the same time Hurricane Lorena geared up to lash the coast of Mexico’s Baja California. Kiko surged to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind ...

A University of South Florida researcher and a team from the Netherlands are proposing a new way to measure hurricane severity. Jennifer Collins hopes her scale will save lives by encouraging people to evacuate ahead of dangerous storms.

Forecasters expect Hurricane Humberto to pull Tropical Storm Imelda away from landfall and into a Fujiwhara dance, but the East Coast is still set to experience heavy rains and life-threatening rip currents.