What is the EF scale range?
Enhanced Fujita Scale
| EF-scale | Class | Wind speed |
|---|---|---|
| mph | ||
| EF-1 | weak | 86-110 |
| EF-2 | strong | 111-135 |
| EF-3 | strong | 136-165 |
What is the highest EF scale?
The scale ranks tornadoes from F0 to F5, with F0 being the least intense and F5 being the most intense. F5 tornadoes were estimated to have had maximum winds between 261 mph (420 km/h) and 318 mph (512 km/h).
What are the 5 levels of a tornado?
Tornado Classification
| Weak | EF0, EF1 | Wind speeds of 65 to 110 mph |
|---|---|---|
| Strong | EF2, EF3 | Wind speeds of 111 to 165 mph |
| Violent | EF4, EF5 | Wind speeds of 166 to 200 mph or more |
How does the EF Scale work?
By looking at the amount of damage caused to different types of structures, scientists assign the storm an Enhanced Fujita scale classification. From the amount of damage they see, they then try to reverse engineer the storm’s wind speeds. As it tracks along the ground, a tornado’s power can change.
Why is the EF Scale important?
The EF Scale was revised from the original Fujita Scale to reflect better examinations of tornado damage surveys so as to align wind speeds more closely with associated storm damage. The new scale has to do with how most structures are designed.
What was the strongest tornado ever?
The largest and strongest tornado ever recorded in history is considered to be the El Reno tornado, which took place in Oklahoma in May 2013. According to the reports, it was as wide as 2.6 mi (4.2 km) and had a speed of 302 mph (486 kph).
How big is a EF5 tornado?
The old scale lists an F5 tornado as wind speeds of 261–318 mph (420–512 km/h), while the new scale lists an EF5 as a tornado with winds above 200 mph (322 km/h), found to be sufficient to cause the damage previously ascribed to the F5 range of wind speeds.
How strong is EF1 tornado?
An EF1 tornado is the second weakest tornado on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. An EF1 tornado has wind speeds between 86 and 110 mph (138 and 177 km/h). Damage from an EF1 tornado is described as moderate.
How rare is EF5?
Only about 0.06% of all tornadoes are classified as F5 or EF5. That’s about one tornado out of every 1,666. —The months of January and November are the only months never to have reported an F/EF5 tornado. April, May, and June account for 84% of all F/EF5 tornadoes on record since 1880.
Why don t tornadoes happen in Europe?
As in the US, tornadoes are far from evenly distributed. Europe has some small “tornado alleys” – probably because of frontal collisions as in the south and east of England, but also because Europe is partitioned by mountain ranges like the Alps.
Can an F1 tornado pick up a car?
An EF-1 tornado can push a moving car off the road and an EF-2 tornado can pick a car off the ground. Do not hide under an overpass.