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Enhanced Fujita scale

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from EF5)

Enhanced Fujita Scale
EFU Unknown No surveyable damage
EF0 65–85 mph Light damage
EF1 86–110 mph Moderate damage
EF2 111–135 mph Considerable damage
EF3 136–165 mph Severe damage
EF4 166–200 mph Devastating damage
EF5 >200 mph Incredible damage
The National Weather Service's arrow showing the EF scale. This includes a description word for each level of the scale.

The Enhanced Fujita scale (abbreviated EF-Scale) is a scale that rates tornado intensity based on the severity of the damage a tornado causes. It is used in the United States, Brazil and France, among other countries.[1][2] The EF scale is also unofficially used in other countries, including China.[3] The rating of a tornado is determined by conducting a tornado damage survey.

The scale has the same basic design as the original Fujita scale—six intensity categories from zero to five, representing increasing degrees of damage. It was revised to reflect better examinations of tornado damage surveys, in order to align wind speeds more closely with associated storm damage. Better standardizing and elucidating what was previously subjective and ambiguous, it also adds more types of structures and vegetation, expands degrees of damage, and better accounts for variables such as differences in construction quality. An "EF-Unknown" (EFU) category was later added for tornadoes that cannot be rated due to a lack of damage evidence.[4]

As with the Fujita scale, the Enhanced Fujita scale is a damage scale and only an estimate for actual wind speeds. While the wind speeds associated with the damage listed did not and have not undergone empirical analysis (such as detailed physical or any numerical modeling) due to expensive costs, the wind speeds were obtained through a process called expert elicitation, which was based on various engineering studies since the 1970s as well as from the field experience of meteorologists and engineers. Unlike the original Fujita scale and International Fujita scale, ratings on the Enhanced Fujita scale are based solely off the effects of 3-second gusts on any given damage indicator.[5]

History

[edit]

The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the decommissioned Fujita scale that was introduced in 1971 by Ted Fujita.[6] Operational use began in the United States on February 1, 2007, followed by Canada on April 1, 2013, who uses a modified version known as the CEF-scale.[note 1][7][8][9][10][11] It has also been in use in France since 2008, albeit modified slightly by using damage indicators that take into account French construction standards, native vegetation, and the use of metric units.[12] In Brazil, the EF Scale is used by the Reporting Platform and Voluntary Network of Severe Storm Observers (PREVOTS) since June 2018, and by other agencies since 2025.[2][13] Similarly, the Japanese implementation of the scale is also modified along similar lines; the Japanese variant is referred to locally in Japan as the JEF or Japanese Enhanced Fujita Scale.[14] The scale is also used unofficially in other countries, such as China.[15]

The newer scale was publicly unveiled on October 4, 2004, at the American Meteorological Society's 22nd Conference on Severe Local Storms in Hyannis, Massachusetts.[16] It was developed from 2000 to 2004 by the Fujita Scale Enhancement Project of the Wind Science and Engineering Research Center at Texas Tech University, which brought together dozens of expert meteorologists and civil engineers in addition to its own resources.[17]

Frequency of tornadoes by rating on the Enhanced Fujita scale
  1. EFU (3.11%)
  2. EF0 (52.8%)
  3. EF1 (33.0%)
  4. EF2 (8.41%)
  5. EF3 (2.18%)
  6. EF4 (0.45%)
  7. EF5 (0.05%)

The scale was used for the first time in the United States a year after its public announcement when parts of central Florida were struck by multiple tornadoes, the strongest of which were rated at EF3 on the new scale.

In November 2022, a research paper was published that revealed a more standardized EF-scale was in the works. This newer scale is expected to combine and create damage indicators, and introduce new methods of estimating wind speeds in tornadoes. Some of these newer methods include mobile doppler radar and forensic engineering.

In 2024, Anthony W. Lyza, Matthew D. Flournoy, and A. Addison Alford, researchers with the National Severe Storms Laboratory, Storm Prediction Center, CIWRO, and the University of Oklahoma's School of Meteorology, published a paper stating, ">20% of supercell tornadoes may be capable of producing EF4–EF5 damage".[18]

Parameters

[edit]

The seven categories for the EF scale are listed below, in order of increasing intensity. Although the wind speed estimates and photographic damage examples have been updated, the damage descriptions are broadly derived from those used with the Fujita scale. In operational practice, however, damage indicators and degrees of damage are predominantly used in determining tornado intensity.[5]

Scale Wind speed estimate[19] Frequency[20] Descriptor[21] Example of damage
mph km/h knots
EFU N/a N/a N/a 3.11% No surveyable damage N/a
Intensity cannot be determined due to a lack of information. This rating applies to tornadoes that traverse areas with no damage indicators, cause damage in an area that cannot be accessed by a survey, or cause damage that cannot be differentiated from that of another tornado.[4]
EF0 65–85 105–137 57–74 52.82% Light damage EF0 damage example--Some shingles of the house's roof were blown off. There is additional minor damage to the house's roof.
Well-built structures are typically unscathed, sometimes sustaining broken windows, with minor damage to roofs and chimneys. Billboards and large signs can be knocked down. Trees may have large branches broken off and may be uprooted if they have shallow roots.[22]
EF1 86–110 138–177 75–95 32.98% Moderate damage EF1 damage example-- A majority of the house's roof was blown away, some siding was torn away, and the roof's shingles were blown off or loosened.
Damage to mobile homes and other temporary structures becomes significant, and cars and other vehicles may be pushed off the road or flipped. Permanent structures can suffer major damage to their roofs, with corners or edges of roofs being torn off completely. Larger trees can be uprooted.
EF2 111–135 178–217 96–117 8.41% Considerable damage EF2 damage example-- The entire roof of the house was blown off, with only the skeleton of the roof remaining.
Well-built structures can suffer severe damage (including roof loss), and the collapse of some exterior walls may occur in poorly built structures. Mobile homes are often heavily damaged or destroyed. Vehicles can be lifted off the ground, and lighter objects can become small missiles, causing damage outside of the tornado's main path. Wooded areas have a large percentage of their trees snapped or uprooted.
EF3 136–165 218–266 118–143 2.18% Severe damage EF3 damage example-- The majority of the house was heavily damaged, with some trees uprooted in the background. Only a portion of a wall remains. Debris is scattered at the site of impact.
A few parts of affected buildings are left standing. Well-built structures lose all outer and some inner walls. Unanchored homes are swept away, and homes with poor anchoring may collapse entirely. Trains and train cars are all overturned. Small vehicles and similarly sized objects are lifted off the ground and tossed as projectiles. Wooded areas suffer an almost total loss of vegetation and some tree debarking may occur.
EF4 166–200 267–322 144–174 0.45% Devastating damage EF4 damage example -- The majority of the house, except for its foundation, is mainly destroyed. Debris is scattered throughout the destroyed house.
Well-built homes are reduced to a short pile of medium-sized debris on the foundation. Homes with poor or no anchoring are swept completely away. Large, heavy vehicles, including airplanes, trains, and large trucks, can be pushed over, flipped repeatedly, or picked up and thrown. Large, healthy trees are entirely debarked and snapped off close to the ground or uprooted altogether and turned into flying projectiles. Passenger cars and similarly sized objects can be picked up and flung for considerable distances.
EF5 201+ 323+ 175+ 0.05% Incredible damage EF5 damage example--There are no remains of the structure. Not even the foundation of the structure remains, just the slab. Debris at the site of the impact is also minimal due to the extreme wind speeds of an EF5 tornado.
Well-built and well-anchored homes are swept cleanly off their foundations and obliterated. Large, steel-reinforced structures such as schools are completely leveled. Low-lying grass and vegetation are shredded from the ground. Trees are completely debarked and snapped. Very little recognizable structural debris is generated with most materials reduced to a coarse, dispersed mix of small, granular particles. Large, multiple-ton steel frame vehicles and farm equipment are often mangled beyond recognition and tossed miles away or reduced entirely to unrecognizable parts. Tall buildings collapse or suffer severe structural deformation. The official description of this damage highlights the extreme nature of the destruction, noting that "incredible phenomena can and will occur."

Damage indicators and degrees of damage

[edit]

The EF scale currently has 28 damage indicators (DI), or types of structures and vegetation, each with a varying number of degrees of damage (DoD). Each structure has a maximum DoD value, which is given by total destruction. Lesser damage to a structure will yield lower DoD values.[23] Wind speed estimates are divided into three categories; Lower Bound (LB), Expected (EXP), and Upper Bound (UB). EXP is the average wind speed estimate needed to cause the DoD for the "typical construction" of the DI. If the construction of the DI was better/worse than typical, the LB/UB values would be used.[24]

DI No. Damage Indicator (DI) DoD Damage description Wind speed estimate mph (km/h)
LB EXP UB
1[25] Small barns or farm outbuildings (SBO) 1 Threshold of visible damage 53 (85) 62 (100) 78 (126)
2 Loss of wood or metal roof panels 61 (98) 74 (119) 91 (146)
3 Collapse of doors 68 (109) 83 (134) 102 (164)
4 Major loss of roof panels 78 (126) 90 (140) 110 (180)
5 Uplift or collapse of roof structure 77 (124) 93 (150) 114 (183)
6 Collapse of walls 81 (130) 97 (156) 119 (192)
7 Overturning or sliding of entire structure 83 (134) 99 (159) 118 (190)
8 Total destruction of building 94 (151) 112 (180) 131 (211)
2[26] One- or two-family residences (FR12) 1 Threshold of visible damage 53 (85) 65 (105) 80 (130)
2 Loss of roof covering material (<20%), gutters and/or awning; loss of vinyl or metal sheeting 63 (101) 79 (127) 97 (156)
3 Broken glass in doors and windows 79 (127) 96 (154) 114 (183)
4 Uplift of roof deck and loss of significant roof covering material (>20%); collapse of chimney; garage doors collapse inward; failure of porch or carport 81 (130) 97 (156) 116 (187)
5 Entire house shifts off foundation 103 (166) 121 (195) 141 (227)
6 Large sections of roof structure removed; most walls remain standing 104 (167) 122 (196) 142 (229)
7 Exterior walls collapsed 113 (182) 132 (212) 153 (246)
8 Most walls collapsed, except small interior rooms 127 (204) 152 (245) 178 (286)
9 All walls collapsed 142 (229) 170 (270) 198 (319)
10 Destruction of engineered and/or well constructed residence; slab swept clean 165 (266) 200 (320) 220 (350)
3[27] Manufactured home – single wide (MHSW) 1 Threshold of visible damage 51 (82) 61 (98) 76 (122)
2 Loss of shingles or partial uplift of one-piece metal roof covering 61 (98) 74 (119) 92 (148)
3 Unit slides off block piers but remains upright 72 (116) 87 (140) 103 (166)
4 Complete uplift of roof; most walls remain standing 73 (117) 89 (143) 112 (180)
5 Unit rolls on its side or upside down; remains essentially intact 84 (135) 98 (158) 114 (183)
6 Destruction of roof and walls leaving floor and undercarriage in place 87 (140) 105 (169) 123 (198)
7 Unit rolls or vaults; roof and walls separate from floor and undercarriage 96 (154) 109 (175) 128 (206)
8 Undercarriage separates from unit; rolls, tumbles and is badly bent 101 (163) 118 (190) 136 (219)
9 Complete destruction of unit; debris blown away 110 (180) 127 (204) 148 (238)
4[28] Manufactured home – double wide (MHDW) 1 Threshold of visible damage 51 (82) 61 (98) 76 (122)
2 Loss of shingles or other roof covering (<20%) 62 (100) 76 (122) 88 (142)
3 Damaged porches or carports 67 (108) 78 (126) 96 (154)
4 Broken windows 68 (109) 83 (134) 95 (153)
5 Uplift of roof deck and loss of significant roof covering material (>20%) 75 (121) 88 (142) 108 (174)
6 Complete uplift of roof; most walls remain standing 77 (124) 93 (150) 110 (180)
7 Unit slides off CMU block piers 78 (126) 94 (151) 109 (175)
8 Removal of entire roof structure leaving most walls standing 80 (130) 97 (156) 117 (188)
9 Complete destruction of roof and walls leaving undercarriage in place 93 (150) 113 (182) 131 (211)
10 Unit rolls, displaces or vaults 82 (132) 114 (183) 130 (210)
11 Undercarriage separates from floor, rolls and tumbles, badly bent 109 (175) 127 (204) 145 (233)
12 Complete destruction of unit; debris blown away 119 (192) 134 (216) 154 (248)
5[29] Apartments, condos, townhouses [three stories or less] (ACT) 1 Threshold of visible damage 63 (101) 76 (122) 95 (153)
2 Loss of roof covering (<20%) 82 (132) 99 (159) 121 (195)
3 Uplift of roof decking; significant loss of roof covering (>20%) 107 (172) 124 (200) 146 (235)
4 Uplift or collapse of roof structure leaving most walls standing 120 (190) 138 (222) 158 (254)
5 Most top story walls collapsed 138 (222) 158 (254) 184 (296)
6 Almost total destruction of top two stories 155 (249) 180 (290) 205 (330)
7 Total destruction of entire building N/A N/A N/A
6[30] Motel (M) 1 Threshold of visible damage 54 (87) 66 (106) 83 (134)
2 Loss of roof covering (<20%) 67 (108) 80 (130) 99 (159)
3 Broken windows or patio doors 74 (119) 89 (143) 107 (172)
4 Uplift of roof decking; significant loss of roof covering (>20%); loss of EIFS wall cladding 80 (130) 95 (153) 116 (187)
5 Uplift or collapse of canopy over driveway 81 (130) 99 (159) 118 (190)
6 Uplift or collapse of roof structure leaving most walls standing 103 (166) 123 (198) 143 (230)
7 Collapse of top story exterior walls 121 (195) 138 (222) 156 (251)
8 Collapse of most top story walls 127 (204) 143 (230) 162 (261)
9 Collapse of top two floors of three or more stories 144 (232) 170 (270) 185 (298)
10 Total destruction of entire building 163 (262) 190 (310) 217 (349)
7[31] Masonry apartment or motel building (MAM) 1 Threshold of visible damage 54 (87) 65 (105) 81 (130)
2 Loss of roof covering (<20%) 67 (108) 80 (130) 101 (163)
3 Uplift of lightweight metal roof decking 81 (130) 95 (153) 116 (187)
4 Uplift of pre-cast or cast-in-place concrete roof decking 103 (166) 121 (195) 143 (230)
5 Collapse of top story walls 115 (185) 133 (214) 150 (240)
6 Collapse of top two floors of three or more stories 132 (212) 156 (251) 180 (290)
7 Total destruction of a large section of building 160 (260) 180 (290) 205 (330)
8[32] Small retail building [fast-food restaurants] (SRB) 1 Threshold of visible damage 54 (87) 65 (105) 81 (130)
2 Loss of roof covering (<20%) 65 (105) 78 (126) 98 (158)
3 Broken glass in windows and doors 72 (116) 86 (138) 103 (166)
4 Uplift of roof decking; significant loss of roof covering (>20%) 81 (130) 98 (158) 119 (192)
5 Canopies or covered walkways destroyed 83 (134) 98 (158) 114 (183)
6 Uplift or collapse of entire roof structure 101 (163) 119 (192) 140 (230)
7 Collapse of exterior walls; closely spaced interior walls remain standing 120 (190) 138 (222) 159 (256)
8 Total destruction of entire building 143 (230) 167 (269) 193 (311)
9[33] Small professional building [doctor's office, branch banks] (SPB) 1 Threshold of visible damage 54 (87) 65 (105) 81 (130)
2 Loss of roof covering (<20%) 65 (105) 78 (126) 98 (158)
3 Broken windows, including clear story windows or skylights 74 (119) 89 (143) 107 (172)
4 Exterior doors fail 82 (132) 100 (160) 118 (190)
5 Uplift of roof decking; significant loss of roof covering (>20%) 84 (135) 100 (160) 117 (188)
6 Collapsed façade or parapet walls 85 (137) 103 (166) 123 (198)
7 Uplift or collapse of entire roof structure 105 (169) 124 (200) 145 (233)
8 Collapse of exterior walls; closely spaced intereior walls remain standing 123 (198) 144 (232) 165 (266)
9 Total destruction of entire building 148 (238) 157 (253) 200 (320)
10[34] Strip mall (SM) 1 Threshold of visible damage 54 (87) 65 (105) 81 (130)
2 Uplift of roof covering at eaves and roof corners 66 (106) 80 (130) 100 (160)
3 Broken windows or glass doors 72 (116) 88 (142) 105 (169)
4 Uplift of roof decking 84 (135) 101 (163) 122 (196)
5 Collapsed façade or parapet walls 85 (137) 103 (166) 125 (201)
6 Covered walkways uplifted or collapsed 86 (138) 103 (166) 125 (201)
7 Uplift or collapse of entire roof structure 103 (166) 122 (196) 143 (230)
8 Collapse of exterior walls; closely spaced interior walls remain standing 117 (188) 140 (230) 165 (266)
9 Complete destruction of all or a large section of building 147 (237) 171 (275) 198 (319)
11[35] Large shopping mall (LSM) 1 Threshold of visible damage 59 (95) 71 (114) 86 (138)
2 Loss of roof covering (<20%) 69 (111) 85 (137) 105 (169)
3 Broken skylights, clearstory windows and atrium walls broken 75 (121) 92 (148) 114 (183)
4 Uplift of some roof decking; significant loss of roofing material (>20%); loss of rooftop HVAC 92 (148) 108 (174) 128 (206)
5 Wall cladding stripped starting at corners and progressing to other areas 94 (151) 111 (179) 131 (211)
6 Roof structure uplifted or collapsed 108 (174) 128 (206) 150 (240)
7 Exterior walls in top story collapsed 124 (200) 144 (232) 166 (267)
8 Interior walls of top story collapse 139 (224) 160 (260) 185 (298)
9 Complete destruction of all or a large section of the building 176 (283) 204 (328) 247 (398)
12[36] Large, isolated retail building [Wal-Mart, Home Depot] (LIRB) 1 Threshold of visible damage 57 (92) 68 (109) 83 (134)
2 Loss of roof covering (<20%) 68 (109) 81 (130) 103 (166)
3 Uplift of some roof decking; significant loss of roofing material (>20%); loss of rooftop HVAC 87 (140) 103 (166) 123 (198)
4 Long roof spans collapsed downard 103 (166) 122 (196) 144 (232)
5 Uplift and removal of roof structure 114 (183) 134 (216) 157 (253)
6 Inward or outward collapse of exterior walls 118 (190) 137 (220) 158 (254)
7 Complete destruction of all or a large section of the building 147 (237) 173 (278) 201 (323)
13[37] Automobile showroom (ASR) 1 Threshold of visible damage 47 (76) 65 (105) 80 (130)
2 Loss of roof covering (<20%) 67 (108) 80 (130) 101 (163)
3 Broken glass in windows or doors 71 (114) 87 (140) 106 (171)
4 Uplift of some roof decking; significant loss of roofing material (>20%); loss of rooftop HVAC 83 (134) 101 (163) 120 (190)
5 Cladding stripped off walls 94 (151) 112 (180) 132 (212)
6 Uplift or collapse of roof structure 98 (158) 118 (190) 140 (230)
7 Exterior walls collapsed 106 (171) 126 (203) 148 (238)
8 Complete destruction of all or a large section of the building 138 (222) 157 (253) 181 (291)
14[38] Automobile service building (ASB) 1 Threshold of visible damage 46 (74) 63 (101) 79 (127)
2 Loss of roof covering (<20%) 65 (105) 78 (126) 99 (159)
3 Failure of large overhead doors 77 (124) 91 (146) 110 (180)
4 Uplift of some roof decking; significant loss of roofing material (>20%); loss of rooftop HVAC 80 (130) 98 (158) 119 (192)
5 Collapse of non-bearing masonry or tilt-up walls 94 (151) 114 (183) 134 (216)
6 Uplift or collapse of roof structure 102 (164) 121 (195) 143 (230)
7 Collapse of load-bearing walls 106 (171) 128 (206) 149 (240)
8 Complete destruction of all or a large section of the building 138 (222) 157 (253) 181 (291)
15[39] Elementary school [single-story; interior or exterior hallways] (ES) 1 Threshold of visible damage 47 (76) 65 (105) 80 (130)
2 Loss of roof covering (<20%) 66 (106) 79 (127) 99 (159)
3 Broken windows 71 (114) 87 (140) 106 (171)
4 Exterior door failures 85 (137) 99 (159) 118 (190)
5 Uplift of some roof decking; significant loss of roofing material (>20%); loss of rooftop HVAC 82 (132) 101 (163) 121 (195)
6 Damage to or loss of wall cladding 92 (148) 108 (174) 127 (204)
7 Uplift or collapse of roof structure 108 (174) 125 (201) 148 (238)
8 Collapse of non-bearing walls 117 (188) 139 (224) 162 (261)
9 Collapse of load-bearing walls 130 (210) 153 (246) 180 (290)
10 Total destruction of a large section of building or entire building 152 (245) 176 (283) 203 (327)
16[40] Junior or senior high school (JHSH) 1 Threshold of visible damage 55 (89) 68 (109) 83 (134)
2 Loss of roof covering (<20%) 66 (106) 79 (127) 99 (159)
3 Broken windows 71 (114) 87 (140) 106 (171)
4 Exterior door failures 83 (134) 101 (163) 121 (195)
5 Uplift of metal roof decking; significant loss of roofing material (>20%); loss of rooftop HVAC 85 (137) 101 (163) 119 (192)
6 Damage to or loss of wall cladding 92 (148) 108 (174) 127 (204)
7 Collapse of tall masonry walls at gym, cafeteria or auditorium 94 (151) 114 (183) 136 (219)
8 Uplift or collapse of light steel roof structure 108 (174) 125 (201) 148 (238)
9 Collapse of exterior walls in top floor 121 (195) 139 (224) 153 (246)
10 Most interior walls of top floor collapsed 133 (214) 158 (254) 186 (299)
11 Total destruction of a large section of building envelope 163 (262) 192 (309) 224 (360)
12 Significant damage to steel or concrete structural system N/A N/A N/A
17[41] Low-rise building [1–4 stories] (LRB) 1 Threshold of visible damage 55 (89) 68 (109) 83 (134)
2 Loss of roof covering (<20%) 67 (108) 80 (130) 103 (166)
3 Uplift of metal roof decking at eaves and roof corners: significant loss of roofing material (>20%) 83 (134) 101 (163) 120 (190)
4 Broken glass in windows, entryways or atriums 83 (134) 101 (163) 122 (196)
5 Uplift of lightweight roof structure 114 (183) 133 (214) 157 (253)
6 Significant damage to exterior walls and some interior walls 122 (196) 143 (230) 167 (269)
7 Complete destruction of all or a large section of building 161 (259) 188 (303) 221 (356)
18[42] Mid-rise building [5–20 stories] (MRB) 1 Threshold of visible damage 58 (93) 70 (110) 86 (138)
2 Loss of roof covering (<20%) 68 (109) 83 (134) 103 (166)
3 Damage to penthouse roof and walls; loss of rooftop HVAC equipment 75 (121) 92 (148) 113 (182)
4 Damage to parapet walls or coping 83 (134) 99 (159) 118 (190)
5 Broken glass in curtain walls; glass in entryways; significant damage to building interior 83 (134) 101 (163) 120 (190)
6 Uplift of lightweight roof decking; significant loss of roofing material (>20%) 98 (158) 119 (192) 140 (230)
7 Broken curtain wall panel anchors 110 (180) 129 (208) 150 (240)
8 Uplift or collapse of roof structure 118 (190) 136 (219) 158 (254)
9 Significant damage to curtain walls and some interior walls 120 (190) 145 (233) 167 (269)
10 Permanent structural deformation 181 (291) 210 (340) 268 (431)
19[43] High-rise building [more than 20 stories] (HRB) 1 Threshold of visible damage 58 (93) 70 (110) 86 (138)
2 Loss of roof covering (<20%) 69 (111) 86 (138) 107 (172)
3 Damage to penthouse roof and walls; loss of rooftop HVAC equipment 75 (121) 93 (150) 111 (179)
4 Broken glass in exterior walls and first and second floors; broken glass in entryways 83 (134) 101 (163) 120 (190)
5 Damage to parapet walls or coping 87 (140) 104 (167) 122 (196)
6 Broken curtain wall panel anchors 110 (180) 129 (208) 157 (253)
7 Significant loss of roofing material (>20%) 115 (185) 143 (230) 165 (266)
8 Significant damage to curtain walls and interior walls 123 (198) 145 (233) 172 (277)
9 Uplift or collapse of roof structure 123 (198) 159 (256) 183 (295)
10 Significant structural deformation 190 (310) 228 (367) 290 (470)
20[44] Institutional building [hospital, government or university building] (IB) 1 Threshold of visible damage 59 (95) 72 (116) 88 (142)
2 Loss of roof covering (<20%) 72 (116) 86 (138) 109 (175)
3 Damage to penthouse roof and walls; loss of rooftop HVAC equipment 75 (121) 92 (148) 111 (179)
4 Broken glass in windows or doors 78 (126) 95 (153) 115 (185)
5 Uplift of lightweight roof deck and insulation; significant loss of roofing material (>20%) 95 (153) 114 (183) 136 (219)
6 Façade components torn from structure 97 (156) 118 (190) 140 (230)
7 Damage curtain walls or other wall cladding 110 (180) 131 (211) 152 (245)
8 Uplift of pre-cast concrete roof slabs 119 (192) 142 (229) 163 (262)
9 Uplift of metal deck with concrete roof slabs 118 (190) 146 (235) 170 (270)
10 Collapse of some top story exterior walls 127 (204) 148 (238) 172 (277)
11 Significant damage to building envelope 178 (286) 210 (340) 268 (431)
21[45] Metal building system (MBS) 1 Threshold of visible damage 54 (87) 67 (108) 83 (134)
2 Inward or outward collapse of overhead doors 75 (121) 89 (143) 108 (174)
3 Metal roof or wall panels pulled from the building 78 (126) 95 (153) 120 (190)
4 Column anchorage failed 96 (154) 117 (188) 135 (217)
5 Buckling of roof purlins 95 (153) 118 (190) 138 (222)
6 Failure of X-braces in the lateral load resisting system 118 (190) 138 (222) 158 (254)
7 Progressive collapse of rigid frames 120 (190) 143 (230) 168 (270)
8 Total destruction of building 132 (212) 155 (249) 178 (286)
22[46] Service station canopy (SSC) 1 Threshold of visible damage 45 (72) 63 (101) 79 (127)
2 Fascia material blown from canopy 64 (103) 78 (126) 96 (154)
3 Metal roof panels stripped from canopy 74 (119) 92 (148) 113 (182)
4 Columns bend or buckle under wind load 88 (142) 109 (175) 135 (217)
5 Canopy collapsed due to column foundation failure 90 (140) 114 (183) 144 (232)
6 Complete destruction of canopy 110 (180) 133 (214) 163 (262)
23[47] Warehouse building [tilt-up walls or heavy-timber construction] (WHB) 1 Threshold of visible damage 55 (89) 68 (109) 83 (134)
2 Loss of roofing material (<20%) 69 (111) 83 (134) 105 (169)
3 Inward or outward collapse of overhead doors 75 (121) 88 (142) 107 (172)
4 Uplift of roof deck; significant loss of roofing material (>20%); loss of rooftop HVAC equipment 88 (142) 103 (166) 122 (196)
5 Collapse of other non-bearing exterior walls 93 (150) 114 (183) 126 (203)
6 Collapse of pre-cast concrete tilt-up panels 102 (164) 124 (200) 144 (232)
7 Total destruction of a large section of building or entire building 131 (211) 158 (254) 186 (299)
24[48] Electrical transmission lines (ETL) 1 Threshold of visible damage 70 (110) 83 (134) 98 (158)
2 Broken wood cross member 80 (130) 99 (159) 114 (183)
3 Wood poles leaning 85 (137) 108 (174) 130 (210)
4 Broken wood poles 98 (158) 118 (190) 142 (229)
5 Broken or bent steel or concrete poles 115 (185) 138 (222) 149 (240)
6 Collapsed metal truss towers 116 (187) 141 (227) 165 (266)
25[49] Free-standing towers (FST) 1 Threshold of visible damage 76 (122) 92 (148) 113 (182)
2 Collapsed cell-phone tower 113 (182) 133 (214) 157 (253)
3 Collapsed micro-wave tower 116 (187) 136 (219) 160 (260)
26[50] Free-standing light poles, luminary poles, flag poles (FSP) 1 Threshold of visible damage 67 (108) 81 (130) 100 (160)
2 Bent pole 85 (137) 102 (164) 120 (190)
3 Collapsed pole 99 (159) 118 (190) 138 (222)
27[51] Trees: hardwood (TH) 1 Small limbs broken (up to 1 in (2.5 cm) diameter) 48 (77) 60 (97) 72 (116)
2 Large branches broken (1 in (2.5 cm)–3 in (7.6 cm) diameter) 61 (98) 74 (119) 88 (142)
3 Trees uprooted 76 (122) 91 (146) 118 (190)
4 Trunks snapped 93 (150) 110 (180) 134 (216)
5 Trees debarked with only stubs of largest branches remaining 123 (198) 143 (230) 167 (269)
28[52] Trees: softwood (TS) 1 Small limbs broken (up to 1 in (2.5 cm) diameter) 48 (77) 60 (97) 72 (116)
2 Large branches broken (1 in (2.5 cm)–3 in (7.6 cm) diameter) 62 (100) 75 (121) 88 (142)
3 Trees uprooted 73 (117) 87 (140) 113 (182)
4 Trunks snapped 88 (142) 104 (167) 128 (206)
5 Trees debarked with only stubs of largest branches remaining 112 (180) 131 (211) 153 (246)


Differences from the Fujita scale

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The Enhanced Fujita Scale takes into account the quality of construction and standardizes different kinds of structures. The wind speeds on the original scale were deemed by meteorologists and engineers as being too high, and engineering studies indicated that slower winds than initially estimated cause the respective degrees of damage.[53] The old scale lists an F5 tornado as wind speeds of 261–318 mph (420–512 km/h), while the new scale lists an EF5 as a tornado with winds above 200 mph (322 km/h), found to be sufficient to cause the damage previously ascribed to the F5 range of wind speeds. Tornadoes in the United States that occurred before February 1, 2007, retained their original Fujita ratings after the EF Scale was adopted.[54]

The EF Scale retained the same 0–5 category structure as the original Fujita scale, but it changed the operational rating methodology by formalizing 28 Damage Indicators (DI) and 8 Degrees of Damage (DoD), revising the associated wind-speed estimates, and explicitly considering construction quality when evaluating damage.[55][56] A linear conversion was derived to relate F-scale and EF-scale wind estimates and preserve continuity in the historical database, but tornadoes are not rated operationally by applying that formula.[56] Different structures, depending on their building materials and ability to survive high winds, have their own DIs and DoDs. Some differences do exist between the two scales in the ratings assigned to damage. On the original Fujita scale, a tornado would generally earn an F5 rating by completely destroying and sweeping away frame homes built to typical American construction standards. On the Enhanced Fujita scale that level of damage would generally be rated as high-end EF4, requiring a house of above-standard construction to be rated EF5. A 2025 study indicated that these more rigorous standards resulted in a decrease in the percentage of tornadoes receiving F5/EF5 ratings after the implementation of the new scale. This difference in frequency disappears when high-end EF4 tornadoes, with peak estimated winds of 190–200 miles per hour (310–320 km/h), are included as "EF5 candidates."[57]

Since the EF Scale still uses actual tornado damage and similar degrees of damage for each category to estimate the storm's wind speed, the National Weather Service states that the scale will likely not lead to an increase in the number of tornadoes classified as EF5. Additionally, the upper bound of the wind speed range for EF5 is open—in other words, there is no maximum wind speed designated.[55]

Rating classifications

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Tornado rating classifications
Organization EF0 EF1 EF2 EF3 EF4 EF5 Cit.
NWS Quad Cities, IA/IL Weak Moderate Significant Severe Extreme Catastrophic [58]
NWS Weak Strong Violent [59]
Significant

For purposes such as tornado climatology studies, Enhanced Fujita scale ratings may be grouped into classes.[60][61][62] The National Weather Service classifies EF0 and EF1 as weak, EF2 and EF3 as strong, as EF4 and EF5 as violent.[59] The National Weather Service also uses the EF scale to classify tornadoes with a rating of EF2 and greater as significant.[59] The National Weather Service Quad Cities, Iowa/Illinois uses a modified EF scale wording, which gives a new term for each rating on the scale, going from weak to catastrophic.[58]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ↑ Sources also commonly refer to the CEF-scale simply as the "EF-scale" or "Enhanced Fujita Scale", especially when the context is unambiguously referring to the Canadian version.

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Intensité des tornades : l'Échelle améliorée de Fujita - Pédagogie - Comprendre les orages - Keraunos - Observatoire français des tornades et orages violents".
  2. 1 2 brunozribeiro (June 9, 2023). "PRETS completes 5 years of data!". Reporting Platform and Voluntary Network of Severe Storm Observers (PREVOTS) (in Portuguese, English, and Spanish). Brazil. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
  3. ↑ Chen, Jiayi; Cai, Xuhui; Wang, Hongyu; Kang, Ling; Zhang, Hongshen; Song, Yu; Zhu, Hao; Zheng, Wei; Li, Fengju (2018). "Tornado climatology of China". International Journal of Climatology. 38 (5): 2478–2489. Bibcode:2018IJCli..38.2478C. doi:10.1002/joc.5369.
  4. 1 2 Murphy, John D. (July 26, 2021). "National Weather Service Instruction 10-1605" (PDF). National Weather Service. pp. A-77–78. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  5. 1 2 "The Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale)". Storm Prediction Center. February 1, 2007. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
  6. ↑ Fujita, T. Theodore (February 1971) "Proposed characterization of tornadoes and hurricanes by area and intensity". SMRP (Satellite and Mesometeorology Research Project) Research Paper 91 (Department of the Geophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA) 42 pages.
  7. ↑ "Fujita Tornado Damage Scale". www.spc.noaa.gov.
  8. ↑ "Tornado Scale - The Enhanced Fujita Scale". TornadoFacts.net. Archived from the original on December 18, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Enhanced Fujita Scale". Environment Canada. May 10, 2013.
  10. ↑ Repetto, Maria Pia; Burlando, Massimiliano (March 2023). Thunderstorm Outflows and their Impact on Structures (PDF). University of Genoa. p. 31. ISBN 978-88-3618-210-7. Retrieved June 11, 2024. Next, four damage-based wind speed rating methods for tornados are introduced: the Fujita-Scale (F-Scale); the Enhanced Fujita-Scale (EF-Scale); the Canadian Enhanced Fujita-Scale (CEF-Scale); and the Japanese Enhanced Fujita-Scale (JEF-Scale)...The CEF-Scale was proposed in 2013 by Environment Canada, closely following the EF-Scale, while the CEF-Scale uses 31 DIs.
  11. ↑ Pieter Groenemeijer (ESSL); Lothar Bock (DWD); Juan de Dios Soriano (AEMet); Maciej Dutkiewicz (Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology); Delia Gutiérrez-Rubio (AEMet); Alois M. Holzer (ESSL); Martin Hubrig; Rainer Kaltenberger; Thilo Kühne (ESSL); Mortimer Müller (Universität für Bodenkultur); Bas van der Ploeg; Tomáš Púčik (ESSL); Thomas Schreiner (ESSL); Miroslav Šinger (SHMI); Gabriel Strommer (ESSL); Andi Xhelaj (University of Genova) (July 30, 2023). "The International Fujita (IF) Scale" (PDF). European Severe Storms Laboratory. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  12. ↑ KERAUNOS. "Intensité des tornades : l'échelle de Fujita améliorée".
  13. ↑ "O que é a escala Fujita Aprimorada, usada para medir a intensidade de tornados". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). November 8, 2025. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  14. ↑ Suzuki, Shota; Tanaka, Yoshinobu. "The Japanese Enhanced Fujita Scale: Its Development and Implementation" (PDF). Japan Meteorological Agency.
  15. ↑ Chen, Jiayi; Cai, Xuhui; Wang, Hongyu; Kang, Ling; Zhang, Hongshen; Song, Yu; Zhu, Hao; Zheng, Wei; Li, Fengju (April 2018). "Tornado climatology of China". International Journal of Climatology. 38 (5): 2478–2489. Bibcode:2018IJCli..38.2478C. doi:10.1002/joc.5369. ISSN 0899-8418.
  16. ↑ Marshall, Timothy P. (October 4, 2004). "Session 3B.2 The enhanced Fujita (EF) scale". ams.confex.com. American Meteorological Society.
  17. ↑ "Enhanced Fujita Scale - Tornado Damage Scale". factsjustforkids.com. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  18. ↑ Lyza, Anthony W.; Flournoy, Matthew D.; Alford, A. Addison (March 19, 2024). "Comparison of Tornado Damage Characteristics to Low-Altitude WSR-88D Radar Observations and Implications for Tornado Intensity Estimation" (Academic publication). Monthly Weather Review. -1 (aop). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and University of Oklahoma via the American Meteorological Society: 1689–1710. Bibcode:2024MWRv..152.1689L. doi:10.1175/MWR-D-23-0242.1. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Enhanced F Scale for Tornado Damage". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
  20. ↑ "Storm Prediction Center WCM Data". Storm Prediction Center. Archived from the original on April 7, 2025. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  21. ↑ US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "The Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale)". www.weather.gov. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Garrett's Blog: Mobile Home Tornado Risk". 5newsonline.com. February 28, 2013. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  23. ↑ McDonald, James; Kishor C. Mehta (October 10, 2006). A recommendation for an Enhanced Fujita scale (EF-Scale) (PDF). Lubbock, Texas: Wind Science and Engineering Research Center, Texas Tech University. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  24. ↑ US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "NWS Little Rock, AR - Enhanced Fujita Scale". www.weather.gov. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  25. ↑ c:File:EF DI1 (SBO).jpg
  26. ↑ c:File:EF DI2 (FR12).jpg
  27. ↑ c:File:EF DI3 (MHSW).jpg
  28. ↑ c:File:EF DI4 (MHDW).jpg
  29. ↑ c:File:EF DI5 (ACT).jpg
  30. ↑ c:File:EF DI6 (M).jpg
  31. ↑ c:File:EF DI7 (MAM).jpg
  32. ↑ c:File:EF DI8 (SRB).jpg
  33. ↑ c:File:EF DI9 (SPB).jpg
  34. ↑ c:File:EF DI10 (SM).jpg
  35. ↑ c:File:EF DI11 (LSM).jpg
  36. ↑ c:File:EF DI12 (LIRB).jpg
  37. ↑ c:File:EF DI13 (ASR).jpg
  38. ↑ c:File:EF DI14 (ASB).jpg
  39. ↑ c:File:EF DI15 (ES).jpg
  40. ↑ c:File:EF DI16 (JHSH).jpg
  41. ↑ c:File:EF DI17 (LRB).jpg
  42. ↑ c:File:EF DI18 (MROB).jpg
  43. ↑ c:File:EF DI19 (HROB).jpg
  44. ↑ c:File:EF DI20 (IB).jpg
  45. ↑ c:File:EF DI21 (MBS).jpg
  46. ↑ c:File:EF DI22 (SSC).jpg
  47. ↑ c:File:EF DI23 (WHB).jpg
  48. ↑ c:File:EF DI 24 (ETL).jpg
  49. ↑ c:File:EF DI25 (FST).jpg
  50. ↑ c:File:EF DI26 (FSP).jpg
  51. ↑ c:File:EF DI27 (TH).jpg
  52. ↑ c:File:EF DI28 (TS).jpg
  53. ↑ A Recommendation for an Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF-Scale) (PDF) (Report). Wind Science and Engineering Research Center, Texas Tech University. 2006. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
  54. ↑ McCarthy, Daniel; Schaefer, Joseph; Edwards, Roger. "What Are We Doing with (or to) the F-Scale?" (PDF). Storm Prediction Center. NOAA/NWS. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
  55. 1 2 "The Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale)". National Weather Service. NOAA. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
  56. 1 2 "National Weather Service Instruction 10-1605: Storm Data Preparation" (PDF). National Weather Service. NOAA. August 17, 2007. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
  57. ↑ Lyza, Anthony W.; Brooks, Harold E.; Krocak, Makenzie J. (August 2025). "Where Have the EF5s Gone? A Closer Look at the "Drought" of the Most Violent Tornadoes in the United States". Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 106 (8): E1708–E1716. Bibcode:2025BAMS..106E1708L. doi:10.1175/BAMS-D-24-0066.1. ISSN 0003-0007.
  58. 1 2 "The Tornado Outbreak of March 31, 2023". National Weather Service Quad Cities, IA/IL. 2023. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  59. 1 2 3 "A Study of the Chicago Areas Significant Tornadoes". National Weather Service. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  60. ↑ Grazulis, Thomas P. (July 1993). Significant Tornadoes 1680–1991. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. ISBN 1-879362-03-1.
  61. ↑ The Fujita Scale of Tornado Intensity Archived December 30, 2011, at the Wayback Machine at tornadoproject.com
  62. ↑ "Severe Thunderstorm Climatology". National Severe Storms Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US Department of Commerce. March 29, 2013. Archived from the original on October 4, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2013.

Further reading

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