With the anticipated arrival of Hurricane Milton just around the corner, we're taking a look at some hurricane lingo — particularly, what aspaghetti model is and what the categories really mean.

According to the National Weather Service, the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is what’s used to measure how intense a hurricane may be. The scale bases everything on a scale of 1-5 and estimates the catastrophe potential.

Category 1
Expect wind speeds of 74-95 mph, minor damage to roofs or snapped trees, and possible loss of electricity.
Example: Hurricane Sandy
Category 2
Expect wind speeds of 96-110 mph, extensive damage like uprooted trees, broken windows, and loss of power for days or weeks.
Example: Hurricane Frances
Category 3
Expect wind speeds of 111-129 mph, devastating damage like broken doors and windows, and week- or month-long power outages.
Example: Hurricane Wilma
Category 4
Expect wind speeds of 130-156 mph and catastrophic damage like uprooted trees, week- or month-long power outages, and damage to even well-built homes.
Example: Hurricane Helene
Category 5
Expect wind speeds of 157 mph or higher and unimaginable damage like destroyed homes, fallen trees, and week- or month-long power outages.
Example: Hurricane Ian

Hurricane spaghetti models show where tropical systems may go, but do not show where the impacts will occur. Read: Even if Lakeland is not on the model’s direct path, it could still experience the damage above. When lines on the model are clustered together, forecasters have high confidence they’ll follow a specific “plot-line.”

Hurricane Milton is currently a Category 4 and is expected to hit the west coast of Florida on Wednesday, Oct. 9, although its path and intensity could shift.

Wondering how you can prepare?

Follow Hurricane Milton’s updates online.
Stock your hurricane kit with these essentials.
Sign up for Polk County’s emergency notifications on Alert Polk.