It was previously estimated that F5 winds would be 261 to 318 mph. However this was too high for expected damage levels, and was adjusted to over 200 mph for an EF5 on the more accurate Enhanced Fujita scale.
In most cases an F5 tornado will be larger than an F1. However, tornado ratings are a measure of the strength of a tornado, not its size. F5 is the strongest category, and such tornadoes are usually very large, but a few have been fairly small. Conversely, F1 is the second lowest rating (F0 is the lowest) and such tornadoes are generally small, but some have been huge.
The Fujita scale classifies tornadoes based on their estimated wind speeds and the damage they cause. It categories tornadoes on a scale from F0 to F5, with F5 being the most severe. The wind speeds associated with each category range from 65 mph for an F0 tornado to over 200 mph for an F5 tornado.
There is no given forward speed for a tornado of any rating. Like most tornadoes, an F5 can be anywhere from stationary to moving at 70 mph. Wind speeds inside an EF5 tornado (essentially the same rating with corrected wind speeds) are in excess of 200 mph.
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.
The F6 category is purely theoretical. Because Fujita scale ratings are based on damage rather than directly on wind speed, there is no room for a level hihger than F5. Now that that point is made, the theoretical range of F6 winds is 319-379 mph.
An F5 tornado does not form directly from an F1 tornado. Tornado intensity is determined by the Enhanced Fujita Scale based on wind speeds and damage. It is possible for a tornado to rapidly intensify due to various atmospheric conditions, leading to an increase in intensity from an F1 to an F5 tornado.
As the original Fujita scale estimated, the maximum wind speed for an F5 tornado was 318 mph. However, it would be impossible for a tornado to be rated higher than F5 as actual ratings are based on damage and F5 damage leaves no room of a higher category. On the newer Enhanced Fujita scale the highest category, EF5, has no upper bound for wind speeds.
Damage photographs from the Tri-State tornado show large areas that were completely leveled, with some neighborhoods swept away. That is a strong indicator that the tornado was an F5.
The Xenia Tornado that struck Ohio in 1974 was classified as an F5 tornado, the most powerful on the Fujita scale. It caused widespread devastation, destroying thousands of homes and killing 33 people. Wind speeds were estimated to be between 261 and 318 miles per hour.
A F6 tornado does not exist on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which ranges from F0 to F5. The most powerful tornado category, an F5 tornado, has wind speeds exceeding 200 mph and can cause catastrophic damage.
There are theoretical categories beyond F5 but none of theme have ever been used. Since F5 damage is total destruction there is no real way of rating a tornado higher than F5. Also, a tornado's rating is not dependent on its size. So a bigger tornado does not necessarily get a higher rating.
In most cases an F5 tornado will be larger than an F1. However, tornado ratings are a measure of the strength of a tornado, not its size. F5 is the strongest category, and such tornadoes are usually very large, but a few have been fairly small. Conversely, F1 is the second lowest rating (F0 is the lowest) and such tornadoes are generally small, but some have been huge.
There is no such thing as an F8 tornado. The scale as it works only goes up to F5 since it is based on damage rather than wind speed. However, theoretical winds in an F8 tornado would be 446-514 mph. Such winds are not thought to be possible in a tornado.
The scale does not rate tornadoes on wind speed but on damage. The wind speeds for the categories (F0, F1 etc) are estimates for each damage level. The wind estimates for F5 damage start at 261 mph. However, this estimates is believed to be too high. On the new scale, the wind estimates for EF5 start at 201 mph.
The Fujita scale classifies tornadoes based on their estimated wind speeds and the damage they cause. It categories tornadoes on a scale from F0 to F5, with F5 being the most severe. The wind speeds associated with each category range from 65 mph for an F0 tornado to over 200 mph for an F5 tornado.
Definitely
The strong wind in a tornado is the source of its destructive potential.