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Yes. Tornadoes vary greatly in strength. There is even a system of assessing tornado strength called the Enhanced Fujita scale. It uses damage to estimate the peak wind speed of a tornado, and then sort it into one of six categories:
EF0: 65-85 mph. Tree limbs broken with some weaker trees toppled. Shingles torn from houses.
EF1: 86-110 mph. House roofs badly damaged. Windows broken. Trailers overturned and/or partially destroyed.
EF2: 111-135 mph. Roofs torn from well built houses. Trailers completely destroyed. Small cars lifted.
EF3: 136-165 mph. Walls torn from well-built houses. Most trees in a forest uprooted.
EF4: 166-200 mph. Well-built houses completely leveled. Trees debarked.
EF5: over 200 mph. Well-built houses swept clean off foundations. Asphalt peeled from roads. Winds may exceed 300 mph.
What else can I help you with?
Why are some tornadoes more destructive then others?
There is a combination of factors that make one tornado more destructive than another..Some tornadoes are stronger than others, winds can be anywhere from 65 mph (causing minor damage) to over 300 mph (total destruction)Some tornadoes are wider than others (ranging from a few yards to over a mile) and so affect larger or smaller areas.Some tornadoes cover greater distances (sometimes only a few hundred feet, other times over 100 miles)Some tornadoes hit more developed area than others.
Why are most tornadoes f0-f1?
The stronger a tornado the more energy it takes and most storms do not have the energy to produce a tornado stronger than F1 or are not organized enough to focus that energy into a tornado. Additionally, tornado ratings are based on damage and some tornadoes stay in open fields, causing no damage. Such tornadoes are rated F0.
Can tornadoes pick stuff up?
Yes. Even very weak tornadoes will lift dust and twigs. Stronger tornadoes can lift roofs, garages, barns, and some vehicles. The most violent tornadoes will lift large trucks, train cars, and even well built houses.
Do stronger tornadoes last longer than weaker ones?
Generally, stronger tornadoes have longer lifespans than weaker tornadoes. Strong tornadoes are typically associated with more intense and organized thunderstorms, which can sustain the conditions necessary for a tornado to persist for a longer period of time. Weaker tornadoes, on the other hand, often form from less stable atmospheric conditions and have shorter durations.
Do tornadoes have stronger winds than hurricanes?
In most cases the wind speeds fall into the same range. However, it is not uncommon for tornadoes to produce winds in excess of 150 mph, which are rarely attained by hurricanes. The most violent tornadoes do produce stronger winds than even the most intense hurricanes.
Can there be thin tornadoes and thick tornadoes?
yes, some tornadoes are relatively small while others are huge
Are hurricanes or tornadoes stronger?
Tornados are
Why do tornadoes form in some parts of New Jersey but not others?
Tornadoes can occur anywhere in New Jersey. That some locations but not others have been struck has simply been a matter of chance.
Why are some tornadoes more destructive then others?
There is a combination of factors that make one tornado more destructive than another..Some tornadoes are stronger than others, winds can be anywhere from 65 mph (causing minor damage) to over 300 mph (total destruction)Some tornadoes are wider than others (ranging from a few yards to over a mile) and so affect larger or smaller areas.Some tornadoes cover greater distances (sometimes only a few hundred feet, other times over 100 miles)Some tornadoes hit more developed area than others.
Are little tornadoes stronger then bigger ones?
No. Usually the larger tornadoes are the stronger ones, but not always. There have been a few small but very violent tornadoes as well as large but fairly weak ones.
What percentage of tornadoes is considered strong?
About 20% of tornadoes are rated as strong (EF2 or stronger).
Which is more dangerous tornadoes or waterspouts?
Tornadoes are generally more dangerous as they are stronger than waterspouts.
Have Washington and Oregon ever had tornadoes?
Yes. Tornadoes do occur in Washington and Oregon. However, tornadoes stronger than F1 are rare.
Can tornadoes happen on mountains?
Yes. Many tornadoes have occurred in forests, with some of the larger and stronger ones destroying thousands of trees.
What are some of the remaining mysteries about tornadoes?
Exactly how tornadoes form and why some supercells produce tornadoes while others don't is not known. Due to the difficulty of making measurements the internal dynamics of tornadoes are not well understood either, especially at ground level.
How strong are tornadoes from other countries?
They are generally not as strong as those in the United States. Tornadoes outside of the U.S. stronger than F2 are rare. However, a number of F4 and possibly some F5 tornadoes have occurred on other continents.
Why are most tornadoes f0-f1?
The stronger a tornado the more energy it takes and most storms do not have the energy to produce a tornado stronger than F1 or are not organized enough to focus that energy into a tornado. Additionally, tornado ratings are based on damage and some tornadoes stay in open fields, causing no damage. Such tornadoes are rated F0.
