Do we need a new ‘Category 6’ for hurricanes?

Geography Case Study

Climate change is increasing the energy potential of tropical cyclones. Some meteorologists are suggesting the need for a new category 6 on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale

This possibility is explored using Hurricane Ian that devastated Cuba and Florida

This resource includes a variety of lesson activities to pick and choose

Ppt slide: Which Geography keyword is the odd one out?
Promotes discussion and reasoning

5Ws & 1H.
Composite satellite image of Atlantic hurricane tracks. Promotes questioning, discussion and reasoning.
Alternatively, six questions are provided (with possible answers)

Lateral Thinking about hurricanes.
What are the links between these four images?

Photographic Analysis: Atlantic Hurricanes.
Five simultaneous tropical cyclones active in the Atlantic during September 2020.
Worksheet: What does the photograph DEFINITELY tell me? What can I INFER from the photograph? What does the photograph NOT tell me? What ELSE would I like to find out? What OTHER questions could I ask?

Link to YouTube video: “Scientists call for Category 6 designation”

Worksheet: Atlantic Hurricanes.
Complete the graph by showing that there were FIVE hurricanes of Category 4 or 5 strength in the years: 1999, 2005 and 2020.
Slides showing completed graph and follow-up question about the (positive) trendline since 1980

Slide showing histogram of ‘billion dollar’ hurricane costs since 1980.
Worksheet: Question Grid (Who? What? Where? etc vs …is, …did, …can, etc)

Mystery Clues: ‘Atlantic Hurricanes’.
20 pieces of data to cut up and share amongst students. Can be used as a separate activity, or to add detail to other activities in this resource

In which country are you most likely to…
…experience hurricane-strength winds?
…get plenty of warning before a hurricane strikes?
…see collapsed buildings after a hurricane?
…see damage from last year’s hurricane season?
Four slides with images of the UK, Ghana, Jamaica and the USA

Concept Map: Atlantic Hurricanes in 2020.
2020 was the most active Atlantic hurricane season ever.
Worksheet: 35 pieces of data. Students discuss, sort and then colour-code the information into Locations, Causes, Effects, Management and Supporting Data

Thought Chains: Atlantic Hurricanes.
Using the information from the previous activities, students practice writing detailed answers using connectives. (eg ‘Atlantic hurricanes form off the west coast of Africa’ > ‘because…’ > ‘…and so…’ > Therefore…’ > ‘For example…’
Suggest this sheet is printed A3 size

Geography Web: Atlantic Hurricanes.
Students make links between key ideas (eg Atlantic hurricane season, climate change) and locations (eg Caribbean nations, the UK).
Suggest this sheet is printed A3 size

Annotated diagram: Hurricane Ian (2022).
Worksheet: Use three contrasting colours to highlight (a) key terms, (b) processes, and © ideas. Then annotate the map. Follow-up slides to aid debriefing of the activity

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