The Fujita scale (F-Scale; /fuˈdʒiːtə/), or Fujita–Pearson scale (FPP scale), is a scale for rating tornado intensity, based primarily on the damage tornadoes inflict on human-built structures and vegetation.

What does the Fujita Scale rate?

The Fujita Scale. The original Fujita Scale and the new Enhanced Fujita Scale is used to rate the intensity of a tornado by examining the damage caused by the tornado after it has passed over a man-made structure.

Is the Fujita Scale is used to measure hurricane intensity?

Tornadoes and hurricanes can both be deadly, but the way we measure the size of each differs completely. Tornadoes are measured on what’s called the Enhanced-Fujita Scale. This gives each storm a rating based on damage alone.

What is the intensity scale of a tornado?

The TORRO scale, created by the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TORRO), was developed in 1974 and published a year later. The TORRO scale has 12 levels, which cover a broader range with tighter graduations. It ranges from a T0 for extremely weak tornadoes to T11 for the most powerful known tornadoes.

What does the EF scale measure?

The Enhanced Fujita Scale or EF Scale, which became operational on February 1, 2007, is used to assign a tornado a ‘rating’ based on estimated wind speeds and related damage.

How high does the Fujita scale go?

The original Fujita scale is named after Dr. Ted Fujita, a University of Chicago severe storms research scientist who came up with the scale in 1971. Dr. Fujita’s scale, which ranges from F0 to F5, is based upon the type and severity of damage the tornado produced.

What scales are used to measure tornadoes and hurricanes?

The EF Scale is the standard way to measure tornadoes based on wind damage. The original Fujita Scale (or F Scale) was developed by Dr. Theodore Fujita. All tornadoes, and other severe local windstorms, were assigned a number according to the most intense damage caused by the storm.

What is the hurricane rating scale?

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane’s sustained wind speed. This scale estimates potential property damage. Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and damage.

How is the Fujita scale determined?

The official Fujita scale category is determined by meteorologists and engineers after a ground or aerial damage survey, or both; and depending on the circumstances, ground-swirl patterns (cycloidal marks), weather radar data, witness testimonies, media reports and damage imagery, as well as photogrammetry or

Is there an F6 tornado?

There is no such thing as an F6 tornado, even though Ted Fujita plotted out F6-level winds. The Fujita scale, as used for rating tornados, only goes up to F5. Even if a tornado had F6-level winds, near ground level, which is *very* unlikely, if not impossible, it would only be rated F5.

How bad is an F4 tornado?

An F4 tornado is the second most intense tornado on the retired Fujita Scale. An F4 will have wind speeds between 207 and 260 mph (333 to 418 km/h). F4 tornadoes can cause devastating damage. On the Enhanced Fujita Scale, the tornado damage scale that replaced the Fujita Scale, an F4 tornado is now an EF4 tornado.

What is a EF5?

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.

What are the 6 categories of tornadoes?

According to Enhanced Fujita Scale, the tornadoes in the United States and Canada can be rated in six categories: EF0, EF1, EF2, EF3, EF4 and EF5.

What is the difference between F1 and F5 tornadoes?

F1 – F1 tornadoes are moderate. The wind speeds are between 73 mph and 112 mph. F5 – F5 tornadoes are incredibly strong with wind speeds between 261 mph and 318 mph. They lift and blow strong building away.