ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale

Okay, kiddo, have you ever heard of a hurricane before? It's when there's a really big, strong storm with lots of wind and rain that can sometimes be dangerous.

Well, sometimes these hurricanes can be even stronger and more dangerous than others. So, to help people be prepared and know what to expect, scientists made something called the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.

It's like a chart that helps people understand how strong a hurricane is and what kind of damage it might cause. There are five different levels on the scale, and each one is named after a different number or word.

So if you hear on the news that there's a Category 1 hurricane coming, that means it's not as strong as it could be, but you still need to be careful and take precautions. But if they say it's a Category 5 hurricane, that means it's really, really strong and you should be extra careful and try to stay safe.

Basically, the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is just a way for people to understand how strong a hurricane is and how much damage it might cause. It's important to listen to officials and follow their advice to stay safe during a hurricane, no matter what level it is on the scale.