ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Tropical cyclone scales

Have you ever seen a big, spinning storm with lots of rain and wind? That's called a tropical cyclone! Scientists use scales to tell how strong the storm is.

One of the scales is called the Saffir-Simpson scale. It has five levels, with level 1 being the weakest and level 5 being the strongest. If the storm is a level 1, it might knock over some trees or power lines. But if it's a level 5, it can be really dangerous and cause a lot of damage.

Another scale is the Australian cyclone rating scale. It also has five levels, but they are based on how strong the wind is. Level 1 has winds that are less than 62 kilometers per hour, while level 5 has winds that are more than 280 kilometers per hour!

It's important to know these scales so that we can prepare and stay safe if there's a tropical cyclone coming. Remember, always listen to the experts and follow their instructions!
Related topics others have asked about: