What kind of a scale is used to rate hurricanes?

The Beaufort scale has been and still is used to describe wind conditions. The max on this scale is 12 (starting at 64 knots or 74 mph) which is described as 'hurricane'. However some countries now use an extended scale with numbers beyond 12 to cover varying strengths of hurricane.

Hurricanes themselves are rated on the Saffir-Simpson scale with a category 1 hurricane beginning at the same point as 12 on the Beaufort scale. It goes up to a category 5, with winds of at least 137 knots or 157 mph.