Hurricane Helene was determined to be a Category 4 hurricane based on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which classifies hurricanes according to their sustained wind speeds. Here are the key points that led to this classification:
- Wind Speed: Helene’s maximum sustained winds reached 130 mph 1. According to the Saffir-Simpson Scale, Category 4 hurricanes have wind speeds ranging from 131 to 155 mph
- Storm Strengthening: The hurricane strengthened over the Gulf of Mexico, moving from a Category 3 to a Category 4 as winds intensified and conditions became more favorable
- It also dropped to 947 mb