The Hurricane Severity Index (or HSI) measures the strength and destructive capability of a storm based on its size and wind intensity.[1] The HSI attempts to demonstrate that two hurricanes of similar intensity may have different destructive capability due to variances in size, and furthermore that a less intense, but very large hurricane, may in fact be more destructive than a smaller, more intense hurricane. It is very similar to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Hurricane Index, which also factors both size and intensity of a hurricane.[2] HSI was developed by a private company program in competition with the National Weather Service's accumulated cyclone energy index.
Файл:Andrew-Floyd.jpgVisual comparison of Hurricane Floyd with Hurricane Andrew while at similar positions and nearly identical intensities. Floyd was, however, 3–4 times larger and posed a much greater threat.
The Hurricane Severity Index is a 50-point scale, with wind intensity and size contributing equally.
Determining size points
HSI Size Points[3] A total of 25 size points is possible.
Hebert, Chris, Bob Weinzapfel and Mark Chambers. “Hurricane Severity Index: A New Way of Estimating a Tropical Cyclone’s Destructive Potential”. 29th Conference on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology, 10–14 May 2010, Tucson, Arizona. American Meteorological Society. http://ams.confex.com/ams/29Hurricanes/techprogram/paper_168529.htm
