Question

In 1954, hurricane hazel traveled from the Caribbean Sea up the U.S. East Coast into Canada. Hazel reached a maximum wind speed of about 150 mph. What category of hurricane was Hazel?

1) Category 1
2) Category 2
3) Category 3
4) Category 4
5) Category 5

Answer 1

Hurricane Hazel would be classified as Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale with a maximum wind speed of about 150 mph.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hurricane Hazel reached a maximum wind speed of about 150 mph. To determine what category of hurricane Hazel was, we can refer to the Saffir-Simpson Scale. This scale rates hurricanes from category 1 to category 5, with category 5 being the most dangerous. The Saffir-Simpson Scale is based on the minimum wind speed generated by the hurricane.

1. Category 1: 74-95 mph
2. Category 2: 96-110 mph
3. Category 3: 111-129 mph
4. Category 4: 130-156 mph
5. Category 5: 157 mph or higher

Since Hurricane Hazel had a maximum wind speed of about 150 mph, it would fall into Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.