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.
An F5 tornado typically lasts for over half an hour, and sometimes over an hour.
F1 winds speeds are 71-112 miles per hour.
F2 is a rating on the Fujita scale, which assess tornado intensity based on damage. The scale runs from F0 at the weakest to F5 at the strongest. F2 indicates a strong tornado (most tornadoes are F0 or F1) that can tear the roof from a well-built house and lift cars off the ground.
Theoretical winds for an F6 tornado are 319-379 mph. However, because tornado ratings are based on damage, the highest a tornado could ever be rated is F5. So the F6 rating is purely theoretical with no applications in the real world. On the enhanced scale there is no EF6 level theoretical or otherwise.
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.
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.
No. For one thing, Fujita (F) scale ratings measure the strength of a tornado, not its size. F1 is the second weakest rating a tornado can get (F0 is the weakest). Weak tornadoes such as this are generally small, but occasionally can be large. The highest rating a tornado can get is F5.
In most cases an F1 tornado does not have that much energy and soon runs out and is more easily disrupted, though a few F1 tornadoes have had long damage paths. By contrast an F5 tornado will generally have several orders of magnitude more energy to release. Additionally, such a strong tornado could be considered more robust. A shift in the parent storm that might cut can F1 tornado's lifespan and thus damage path short, while the same shift might only weaken an F5 tornado somewhat.
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 1883, a massive F5 tornado hit Rochester, Minnesota on August 21, 1883. The largest tornado in the Rochester, New York area was an F1 in 1980 that caused no injuries or deaths.
It is unlikely. There has never been a recorded F5 tornado in Colorado.
An F1 tornado is considered weak, with wind speeds ranging from 73 to 112 mph. Damage caused by an F1 tornado can include broken tree branches, shingles blown off roofs, and overturned outdoor furniture. While it is not as destructive as stronger tornadoes, it can still pose a threat to people and property.
No. Florida has never recorded an F5 or EF5 tornado.
The Plainfield Tornado didn't live for long, but it was violent enough that it killed 29 people and injured 353, and caused over $140 million dollars worth of damage. Its rating of F5 means that it was in the most violent category of tornado. Tornadoes rated F4 and F5 are classified as violent. A weak tornado has a rating of F0 or F1.
The most recent F5/EF5 tornado was the Moore, Oklahoma tornado of May 20, 2013.
The Waco tornado was an F5.
No. There has never been an F5 tornado recorded in Colorado. It has had a handful of F4 tornadoes.