The Fujita-Pearson scale is used to describe the intensity of a tornado and can be used to predict damage.
Wind Speed in miles per hour |
F Scale Number |
Intensity Phrase |
40 - 72 |
F0 |
gale tornado |
73 - 112 |
F1 |
moderate tornado |
113 - 157 |
F2 |
significant tornado |
158 - 206 |
F3 |
severe tornado |
207 - 260 |
F4 |
devastating tornado |
261 - 318 |
F5 |
incredible tornado |
>= 319 |
F6 |
inconceivable tornado |
F Scale Number |
Buildings |
Cars |
Other |
F0 |
minor roof and chimney damage |
damage from falling limbs |
limb damage to trees; shallow rooted trees toppled; damage to sign boards |
F1 |
roof damage, weak buildings torn apart |
thrown from road |
mobile homes flipped or pushed off foundations |
F2 |
strongly built buildings unroofed |
|
mobile homes destroyed, trees uprooted |
F3 |
damage to outer walls of strongly built buildings |
lifted off ground |
trains overturned |
F4 |
strongly built buildings leveled |
thrown through air |
missiles |
F5 |
strongly built homes lifted off foundations and carried some distance |
missile |
large missiles, trees debarked |
Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care