Tornado Ranking System [NEW]

Tornadoes are ranked from to EF5 . Below are the official categories, wind speed estimates (3-second gust), and typical damage descriptions.

Roofs severely stripped; mobile homes overturned or badly damaged; loss of exterior doors. EF2 111–135 mph tornado ranking system

Causes minor damage. Peels surfaces off roofs, breaks tree branches, and pushes over shallow-rooted trees. Tornadoes are ranked from to EF5

While the USA uses the Enhanced Fujita Scale, other regions use different systems: EF2 111–135 mph Causes minor damage

If a tornado hits a cornfield and does not hit a building, it is almost impossible to rate it higher than an EF0 or EF1, even if the wind speeds were theoretically 200 mph. Because there is no "damage indicator" to prove the intensity, the rating remains low. This is why the strongest tornadoes are often those that hit urban areas where the damage is observable.