Tornadoes are some of nature’s most powerful storms, capable of causing significant destruction. An EF2 tornado or stronger can pick up a car, with wind speeds typically starting around 110 mph.
Understanding the strength of tornadoes on the Enhanced Fujita scale helps clarify how they interact with objects like vehicles in their path.
In 2017, an EF3 tornado in Illinois demonstrated just how powerful these winds can be, lifting heavy vans and tossing them over vast distances. These storms create extreme forces that can easily challenge the stability of any vehicle caught in their grasp.
By exploring the conditions needed for a tornado to lift a car, one can better appreciate the risks involved in severe weather and the importance of safety precautions during tornado warnings.
Tornado Classification and Wind Speeds
Tornadoes are classified based on their wind speeds and the resulting damage they cause. Understanding this classification helps in assessing the strength and potential danger of a tornado.
Two main systems are used: the Fujita Scale and the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which provide specific wind speed ranges and damage descriptions.
Understanding the Fujita Scale
The Fujita Scale was developed by Dr. Theodore Fujita in the 1970s. It categorizes tornadoes from F0 to F5, based on the damage they inflict.
- F0: Light damage, wind speeds of 40-72 mph.
- F1: Moderate damage, wind speeds of 73-112 mph.
- F2: Significant damage, wind speeds of 113-157 mph.
- F3: Severe damage, wind speeds of 158-206 mph.
- F4: Devastating damage, wind speeds of 207-260 mph.
- F5: Incredible damage, wind speeds over 261 mph.
This scale provides crucial information for predicting tornado effects and improves safety measures.
The Enhanced Fujita Scale
The Enhanced Fujita Scale was introduced in 2007 to address limitations in the original Fujita Scale. It classifies tornadoes from EF0 to EF5 and uses the same wind speeds but focuses more on specific damage indicators.
- EF0: Wind speeds of 65-85 mph; can cause minor damage.
- EF1: Wind speeds of 86-110 mph; can damage roofs and mobile homes.
- EF2: Wind speeds of 111-135 mph; can flip cars and destroy well-built homes.
- EF3: Wind speeds of 136-165 mph; can cause severe damage to large buildings.
- EF4: Wind speeds of 166-200 mph; can level well-constructed homes.
- EF5: Wind speeds over 200 mph; can obliterate houses and cause catastrophic damage.
This scale better reflects actual damage based on stronger tornado characteristics.
Typical Wind Speeds for Tornadoes
Tornado wind speeds vary significantly, affecting their classification and potential for destruction.
Most tornadoes fall into lower categories, like EF0 and EF1, with wind speeds that cause minor to moderate damage.
In contrast, higher category tornadoes, such as EF4 and EF5, feature extraordinarily high wind speeds capable of devastating structures.
According to the Enhanced Fujita Scale, an EF2 tornado can easily pick up and toss cars due to wind speeds reaching 111-135 mph. Understanding these categories helps inform communities about the potential risks associated with different tornado intensities and contributes to better preparedness for severe weather events, including those that involve significant wind.
Factors Influencing Tornado’s Ability to Lift Objects
Tornadoes can exert tremendous upward force, enabling them to lift a variety of objects, including vehicles. Several key factors determine the strength of this lifting ability, such as wind speed, vehicle interaction, and rare extreme events.
Relationship Between Tornado Wind Speed and Object Weight
Wind speed plays a crucial role in a tornado’s ability to lift objects. The strongest tornadoes, classified as EF5, can reach wind speeds of over 200 mph. At these speeds, they can lift objects weighing up to 30,000 pounds.
In contrast, lower category tornadoes, such as EF2, may have peak winds around 120 mph and can still pick up lighter vehicles. The heavier the object, the stronger the tornado must be to lift it.
Small cars may be more vulnerable to being picked up than larger vehicles like SUVs or trucks.
How Tornadoes Interact with Vehicles
The way tornadoes interact with vehicles varies widely. Upon coming into contact with a tornado, vehicles can be tossed, rolled, or even completely destroyed. Mobile homes are especially at risk and can be easily lifted or overturned.
Objects that are not anchored down are more susceptible to being swept up in the wind. For example, a tornado can pick up cars and send them flying through the air or drop them at considerable distances. The violent winds can displace debris, causing widespread damage to both property and the environment.
Uncommon Instances of Extreme Lifting
While most tornadoes can lift standard vehicles, there are rare instances where extreme lifting occurs.
Some tornadoes can create conditions that lift heavy objects, such as large trucks or even sections of buildings, into the air. These events often depend on additional factors like debris rotation and funnel shape.
Significant tornadoes can create a vortex strong enough to carry mobile homes away from their foundations. Extreme examples, though uncommon, illustrate the terrifying power of these weather phenomena and the potential for extreme damage.