For futureproofing, we should extend the scale to cover hypercanes [1], which (according to Wikipedia): - require ocean temperatures of 120 °F (50 °C) - have

For futureproofing, we should extend the scale to cover hypercanes [1], which (according to Wikipedia): - require ocean temperatures of 120 °F (50 °C) - have sustained winds of 500 mph (800 km/h) - have barometric pressures in their centers sufficiently low enough to cause altitude sickness - may persist for several weeks due to above low pressure - may be as large as North America or as small as 15 mi (25 km) — Wikipedia has an unhelpful caption about the size of the "average hypercane" (!) - extend into the upper stratosphere, unlike today's hurricanes (lower stratosphere) - due to above height, may sufficiently degrade the ozone layer with water vapor to the point of causing (an additional) hazard to planetary life As of today, both a hypercane and a regular, run-of-the-mill catastrophic hurricane would be rated a Category 5. But I suppose hurricane categorization and nomenclature would be the least of NOAA's problems in such an event. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypercane https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypercane