A dramatic satellite image is circulating online with claims that a “large Category hurricane” is forming. The intense reds, oranges, and blacks make it look alarming at first glance — and that’s exactly why it’s going viral. But meteorologists warn that this kind of image, when stripped of context, can be deeply misleading.

The picture appears to be an infrared satellite image, which highlights cloud-top temperatures, not storm strength. Dark or black areas indicate very cold cloud tops — often associated with strong thunderstorms — but they do not automatically mean a hurricane, let alone a major one. Many tropical systems, tropical waves, or even non-tropical storms can look dramatic in infrared imagery without having organized circulation or hurricane-force winds.

A true hurricane classification depends on multiple confirmed factors: sustained wind speed, closed surface circulation, pressure readings, and structure over time. None of that information can be determined from a single still image shared on social media. In fact, large colorful cloud masses frequently appear days before a system is ever named — and many never develop at all.

Sensational posts often reuse old satellite images or remove timestamps, locations, and official sources to create urgency. Words like “BREAKING,” “CATEGORY,” or “MASSIVE” are designed to trigger fear and sharing before verification. If a major hurricane were forming, official agencies would issue clear advisories through trusted channels — not vague captions urging people to “see more.”

The smart move is simple: check official updates from national meteorological services or recognized weather authorities before reacting or sharing. Storms are serious, but panic fueled by unverified images helps no one. Context turns fear into information — and right now, that’s what matters most.