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6:23 p.m. • 5-25-13

Weather Forecast for Raleigh

  • Sun: Partly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 75° F
  • Mon: Partly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 80° F
  • Tue: Thunderstorm.
    • Hi: 85° F

Other Locations

> 7 Day Forecast

Doppler Image

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is a 1-5 rating based on a hurricane's present intensity. It is used to give an estimate of the potential property damage expected along a coast from a hurricane's landfall.

The National Hurricane Center removed criteria about storm surge and flooding from the scale in 2010. Geography causes great variations in storm surges produced by hurricanes of the same intensity.

Saffir-Simpson animation

Category 1:

  • Winds: 74-95 mph
  • Very dangerous winds will produce some damage.

Category 2:

  • Winds: 96-110 mph
  • Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage.

Category 3:

  • Winds: 111-130 mph
  • Devastating damage will occur.

Category 4:

  • Winds: 131-155 mph
  • Catastrophic damage will occur.

Category 5:

  • Winds: greater than 155 mph
  • Catastrophic damage will occur.
  • Since 1925, only three have hit the U.S: Camille in 1969, Andrew in 1992 and Wilma in 2005.

Multimedia Spotlight

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WRAL Weather on Twitter
  2. wralweather: Forecast: Tonight, some clouds roll in, chilly, low 47°. Tomorrow, partly cloudy, high 75°. http://t.co/RMcYv6WbFE
      — Saturday, May 25, 2013 5:00 PM
  4. nsj: RT @robhendin: got a big @FaceTheNation on tap tmrw - talking wild weather extremes with @HeidiCullen , @jeffreykluger, @DavidBernardTV, @D…
      — Saturday, May 25, 2013 2:50 PM
  6. nsj: What do folks do when a tornado is heading right at them? Hint: “Go directly to shelter” ain’t it. http://t.co/rnqWPUrQJu (h/t @therobdale)
      — Saturday, May 25, 2013 1:59 PM
  8. WRALAimee: Tough day to have to work. http://t.co/1xUdk6za0U
      — Saturday, May 25, 2013 1:56 PM
  10. nsj: San Antonio. RT @ksatnews: Pic from Sky12 of man on roof in Olmos Park area. He was rescued in the last minute. http://t.co/M4M5JsilhK
      — Saturday, May 25, 2013 1:36 PM
  12. nsj: Clearly, today’s flooding is beyond spec, as evidenced by water on major highways, but the design was necessary for the Riverwalk to exist.
      — Saturday, May 25, 2013 1:35 PM
  14. nsj: Fact: Parts of San Antonio, mainly north of downtown, are designed to flood! That’s to keep the Riverwalk & downtown from flooding.
      — Saturday, May 25, 2013 1:31 PM
  16. nsj: RT @ksatweather: Water is covering Hwy 281 at the Quarry (Just north of downtown San Antonio) http://t.co/BgXEKJ5RDt
      — Saturday, May 25, 2013 1:17 PM

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