HURRICANES ARE ABSOLUTELY GETTING SO INTENSE AND SCIENTIST ARE POSSING A CATEGORY 6

When meteorologists began using the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale to measure hurricane intensity in the 1970s, a Category 5 storm represented oblivion.

Such a cyclone, with sustained winds of at least 157 mph, could flatten any structure of the era, so there was no reason to give the most ferocious tier of hurricanes an upper bound.  But as the planet warms, storms are increasingly surpassing what was once considered extreme, according to research published Monday. 

Now, two scientists are proposing a new label they say a growing number of storms already merit: Category 6.

However,Category 6 would refer to hurricanes with sustained wind speeds of at least 192 mph — about the speed that NASCAR drivers go. High winds can snap trees in half and turn buildings to rubble. Jan Pleiter/Getty Images. 

A strong hurricane with 192 mph winds — which would qualify as a Category 6 — isn't unheard of.