The Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS), formerly the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale (SSHS), classifies hurricanesWestern Hemisphere tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions, and tropical stormsinto five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds. To be classified as a hurricane, a tropical cyclone must have maximum sustained winds of at least (Category 1). The highest classification in the scale, Category 5, is reserved for storms with winds exceeding .