Hurricanes have a theoretical maximum wind speed known as “maximum potential intensity,” typically peaking around 200 mph. However, climate change may push this limit higher as ocean temperatures rise, potentially reaching up to 220 mph by the end of the century. Factors like ocean warmth and wind shear influence a hurricane’s strength. Some scientists suggest adding a “Category 6” for storms with winds exceeding 192 mph, as stronger hurricanes have become more frequent in recent decades. While it’s uncertain if hurricanes could sustain even higher speeds, stronger storms like Hurricane Milton are becoming more common.

There is a theoretical limit to how strong hurricanes can get, but this limit may rise due to climate change. For instance, Hurricane Milton, initially a tropical storm, rapidly intensified to a Category 5 hurricane with winds reaching 180 mph (298 km/h). Although its wind speeds have since reduced, the question arises—how close was Milton to the theoretical wind speed maximum for hurricanes?

The “speed limit” for hurricanes, known as maximum potential intensity, typically peaks around 200 mph (322 km/h). However, this limit could increase as oceans warm due to climate change. According to Kerry Emanuel, a prominent atmospheric scientist, the potential for stronger storms has been rising over the last 30 years, and by the end of this century, storms could reach speeds of up to 220 mph (354 km/h).

Several factors, including ocean temperature and wind shear, determine a hurricane’s strength. Warmer waters fuel hurricanes, while wind shear can disrupt them. Some scientists are now suggesting the need for a new “Category 6” to account for storms with winds exceeding 192 mph (309 km/h). Notable storms like Hurricane Patricia and Typhoon Haiyan would fall into this new category, with Patricia recording winds over 200 mph.

Although it’s uncertain if hurricanes could sustain even higher wind speeds, it’s clear that as the climate warms, storms like Milton are becoming more frequent and intense. Scientists are still trying to fully understand the dynamics that limit the wind speeds of these massive storms.