Posted on 04/07/2002 2:05:28 PM PDT by newsperson999
F-Scale Number Intensity Phrase Wind Speed Type of Damage Done F0 Gale tornado 40-72 mph Some damage to chimneys; breaks branches off trees; pushes over shallow-rooted trees; damages sign boards.
F1 Moderate tornado 73-112 mph The lower limit is the beginning of hurricane wind speed; peels surface off roofs; mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned; moving autos pushed off the roads; attached garages may be destroyed.
F2 Significant tornado 113-157 mph Considerable damage. Roofs torn off frame houses; mobile homes demolished; boxcars pushed over; large trees snapped or uprooted; light object missiles generated.
F3 Severe tornado 158-206 mph Roof and some walls torn off well constructed houses; trains overturned; most trees in forest uprooted
F4 Devastating tornado 207-260 mph Well-constructed houses leveled; structures with weak foundations blown off some distance; cars thrown and large missiles generated.
F5 Incredible tornado 261-318 mph Strong frame houses lifted off foundations and carried considerable distances to disintegrate; automobile sized missiles fly through the air in excess of 100 meters; trees debarked; steel re-enforced concrete structures badly damaged.
Speaking of bad tornadoes, that Jarrell one really raised this native's eyebrows. Sucked up the grass and pavement from the roads.
Sheesh, what a waste that channel has become. Thank goodness for the internet.
You are right, I don't think they know. I seen one investigator at a tornado site trying to determine the strength of a tornado.. somewhere. He came to the instantious conclusion that is was an F5 as soon as he seen a Ford Escort driven into the girders of an overpass one mile away!
I remember reading a book on tornados back in the 1960's and at that time, they thought the windspeed could reach 500 MPH.
Ain't that the truth! I have seen their radar, when severe storms are approaching, show the same imagery over an over for hours...after the storm had hit and left. I mean, if you kept looking at their radar, the storm never arrived yet! That station will get you killed!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.