Tornado ratings are based on damage, so the wind speeds for any given rating are estimates. The original estimated wind speed range for an F5 tornado was 261-318 mph. This estimate is now believed to have been too high. Currently, a tornado with estimate winds in excess of 200 mph is rated EF5, though the damage inflicted is the same as that from an F5.
A tornado is a storm that has very fast winds that form a funnel-shaped cloud. Tornadoes are characterized by rotating columns of air that extend from a thunderstorm to the ground, causing extreme damage in their path. It is important to take cover and seek shelter when a tornado warning is issued to stay safe.
The strongest winds in a tornado are typically on the right side of the tornado's path, known as the "right-front quadrant." This area can experience wind speeds exceeding 200 mph, making it the most dangerous part of the tornado.
Estimated winds for an F2 tornado on the original Fujita scale are 113 to 157 mph. It was later found that this estimate was not quite right for the damage inflicted by an F2 tornado and so was refined to a range of 111 to 135 mph for an EF2 tornado.
Windows can implode during a tornado due to the extreme pressure differences created by the high winds. As the tornado passes over or near a building, the fast-moving winds outside can create lower pressure, causing the windows to blow inwards. Additionally, the force of debris carried by the tornado can also impact and break the windows, leading to implosion.
Tornado winds range widely. Based on estimates of the Enhanced Fujita Scale winds for an EF0 tornado, the weakest category, start at 65 mph (105 km/h). The upper limit of tornado winds is believed to be just over 300 mph (483 km/h), though tornadoes this strong are extremely rare. The average tornado is most likely a high-end EF0 with winds of about 80 mph (129 km/h). The tornadoes that cause the most significant damage that often make headlines are in the categories EF3-EF5 with estimated winds over 135 mph (217 km/h).
It varies widely. The weakest have winds of about 65 mph, while the strongest have winds over 300 mph.
Winds in a tornado can get up to 300 mph.
A tornado IS wind- very fast winds spinning in a circle.
Most damage in a tornado is caused by the extremely fast winds.
The Enhanced Fujita scale puts the beginning of tornado winds at 65 mph. Doppler radar has detected winds in a tornado of just over 300 mph.
How fast a tornado is moving refers to how fast the tornado itself travels from point A to point B. For example, a tornado moving towards at 30 mph and is a mile away will reach you in 2 minutes. The rotational winds of a tornado refers to how fast the tornado itself is spinning, which is generally faster than its forward speed.
It is impossible to know exactly how fast the winds were as we did not have the tools to measure a tornado's winds back then. But since the tornado was rated F5 (equivalent to EF5 on the new scale) winds were probably well over 200 mph.
Doppler radar measured winds at 301 mph +/- 20 in that tornado at a height about 100 feet above the ground. These are the fastest winds ever recorded on earth. However, it is possible that other tornadoes were stronger but did not get their winds measured
Winds inside a tornado can range from 65mph to over 300 mph. Most tornadoes have winds less than 110 mph. The ones that cause major damage are usually in the strongest 5% with estimated winds over 135 mph.
Winds in a tornado spiral inward and upward.
Doppler radar tracks the movement of the storm and can determine how fast it's going and, to a very limited degree, how fast its winds are. However, in nearly all cases the wind speeds reported in a tornado are estimated based on the severity of the damage that has been done.
The winds in a tornado can vary greatly and be any where between 65 and 300+ MPH. The majority of tornadoes have winds of 110 mph or less while the most damaging have estimated winds over 135 mph.