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It varies, but can be as much as 300+ mph

The average wind speed of a tornado is 112 mph. But only the most extreme ones get to 300 mph

Tornado wind speeds are now measured by the Enhanced Fujita Scale (see link below). I haven't heard of a tornado being spotted in wind speeds less than 60 miles per hour (which is where the Fujita scale starts), and one unofficial wind speed was measured at about 300 miles per hour (see the other link below), but that was 100 feet above the ground.

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What is the range of wind speed that may be experienced during an F5 tornado?

Originally, the winds of an F5 tornado were estimated to be in the range of 261-318 mph. However, this estimate was found to be to high and was changed on the Enhanced Fujita scale. An EF5 tornado has estimated winds over 200 mph. Winds over 300 mph have been recorded.


How fast can a tornado break a tree?

The speed at which a tornado can break a tree depends on the intensity of the tornado. Tornado winds can reach speeds of over 300 mph, easily snapping trees at their trunk or uprooting them. Strong tornadoes can cause extensive damage to trees within seconds.


What is the wind speed of EF5 tornado?

An EF5 tornado has winds in excess of 200 mph.


How fast can the winds of an f-5 tornado reach?

On the original Fujita scale the upper limit for F5 winds was set at 318 mph. On the Enhanced Fujita scale, this upper limit was removed. So far, the highest wind speed recorded in a tornado was 302 mph in the Oklahoma City tornado of May 3, 1999, though it was not a ground-level measurement. Given that actual wind measurements in tornadoes are rare, and that other tornadoes have produced more impressive damage there have very likely been tornadoes stronger than this, though their wind speeds are unknown.


What is the difference between a funnel cloud and tornado?

A funnel cloud is a rotating column of air that does not reach the ground, while a tornado is a funnel cloud that extends to the ground and causes damage. Both are formed from the same weather conditions and can be associated with severe thunderstorms.

Related Questions

How strong can the winds in a tornado funnel reach?

On rare occasions winds in a tornado can get to a little over 300mph.


What is mostly dangerous about a tornado?

it winds and speed


Explain the difference between how fast a tornado is moving and how fast its rotational winds are?

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.


What is a tornado with an estimated wind speed of 175mph is?

A tornado with estimated winds of 175 mph is an EF4.


What was the windspeed for the waco tornado?

The wind speed for Waco Tornado was over 250 mph winds.


Wind speed higher than 318 mph?

Many people believed that an F6 tornado should be added on the Fujita scale but 318 or over mph winds was never recorded and winds were believed too high for tornadoes to reach unlike the may 3rd outbreak that of the Oklahoma city tornado experienced 302 mph winds in 1999. Even then, tornado ratings are based on damage rather than wind speed.


Why do the winds in a tornado reach such high speeds?

Winds in a tornado are extremely high because the pressure at the center of the tornado is much less than its surroundings, and this pressure drop occurs over a very small distance. Differences in pressure are what cause most winds. The greater the pressure difference over a given area, the greater the wind speed.


What does tornado wind speed range?

Tornado winds range from 65 mph to over 300 mph.


When does a twister become a tornado?

Twister and tornado are two words for the exact same thing. A tornado is considered such when the violent winds reach the ground.


Is funnel cloud a nickname for tornado?

To some extent, yes. A funnel cloud is the visible portion of a tornado. However, not all funnel clouds are tornadoes. If the winds associated with a funnel cloud do not reach the ground then it is not a tornado. Conversely, if the winds do reach the ground the term funnel cloud is not usually used, and the event is simply called a tornado.


What is the strongest wind for a tornado?

The strongest winds in a tornado can reach speeds of over 300 mph (480 km/h), typically found in the most destructive tornadoes known as EF5 tornadoes. These extremely high winds can cause significant damage to structures and landscapes in their path.


Does a tornado go up to 200 miles an hour?

The wind speed in a tornado may reach speeds well over 200 mph, though few tornadoes are that intense. Winds over 300 mph may occur in rare instances. A 200 mph wind speed marks the upper limit of wind estimates for an EF4 tornado. A tornado with estimated winds higher than that would be rated EF5.