In 2025, on one hand, Cyclone Montha is active in the Bay of Bengal, while on the other hand, Hurricane Melissa is also active in the Atlantic Ocean. Both are powerful ocean storms, which are creating destructive conditions like strong winds, torrential rains and possible floods. When a storm of wind rises over an ocean and starts tearing the sky with its speed, the question arises that what is its strength? This is not just a matter of fear or guesswork, but its strength is determined scientifically.

Every storm has its own ‘class’, which tells whether it is going to bring light rain or submerge the entire city. Let us know how the strength of a storm is estimated.

How to measure the strength of a storm

Scientists around the world use two major scales to measure the strength of hurricanes, the first is the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which is mainly applicable to the Americas, the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean. The second is the V-scale, which has been adopted in India, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea areas.

What is the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale?

This scale ranges from 1 to 5 depending on the maximum sustained wind speed of any storm. In Category 1, the wind speed is around 119 to 153 kilometers per hour, it can cause minor damage. In Category 2, winds reach 154 to 177 km/hour. In this, roofs can blow away, trees can break. From Category 3 (178–208 km/h) the damage becomes serious. Category 4 (209–251 km/h) and Category 5 (above 252 km/h) are the levels where everything turns into disaster. This scale not only gives an idea of ​​the speed of the wind but also its impact i.e. possible property damage.

Varicel used in India

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) uses the varicella scale to measure the strength of storms. This scale is also divided into five categories – from V1 to V5. V1 represents the mildest storm, while V5 is the most dangerous. Storms in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea are measured on this scale. The idea behind this is that the marine conditions and climate in these areas are different from those of the western oceans, so a different parameter was necessary to suit local conditions.

How are data collected

Scientists estimate the center of the storm and its wind speed with the help of satellite images, weather buoys and aerial surveys. The data received from radar shows the direction and speed at which the winds are moving. This data decides in which category the storm will be placed.

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The Meteorological Department has also been surprised about the storm in the Earth’s second largest Ocean Atlantic Ocean. Hurricane Erin, who rises in Atlantic Ocean, caught such a pace that meteorologists were also shocked, because within 24 hours the storm turned directly from category-1 to category-5.

According to meteorologists, where its speed was 75 miles per hour on Friday morning, till Saturday it was recorded in the record book by holding a speed of 160 miles per hour (about 260 km/h). Experts say that the incidents of storms that have become so fast powerful are now visible due to climate change and rising sea temperature.
What is Rapid Intensification
In meteorological it is called a rapid intensification, it means when a cyclone increases its speed at least 35 miles per hour in 24 hours. Erin left this limit behind. The incident took place in the middle of August, while in general, such a rapidly strong storms are seen in September-October.

Category-5 storm for the fourth consecutive time
Erin is being considered as a different picture of the seasonal pattern and a new picture of the climate crisis. Erin is one of the 43 category-5 storms recorded in Atlantic. The special thing is that since 2016, 11 categories-5 storms have been formed so far, which is unusually high.

The season of 2025 is the fourth consecutive time, when the category-5 storm has surfaced. Earlier in 2024, storms named Berell and Milton showed similar strength. Erin’s attitude is such that it will not cause direct damage to Puerto Rico and Caribbean Islands.

It is being told that it will go out in the open Atlantic between the east coast of America and Bermuda, moving north. However, there is a possibility of heavy rains and floods from its exterior.

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