The Fujita Tornado Classification Scale

Hurricanes may get more attention during the hurricane season and they typically affect a larger area. By the time they get to Pennsylvania, though, they are typically a tropical depression and only cause excessive amounts of rain in the fall. Tornadoes, although not as common here as in other parts of the country are encountered more frequently. Much like there is a scale to gauge the category or hurricane and there general destructiveness, a scale developed by Professor Theodore Fujita helps meteorologists determine the strength of potential storms.

The scale ranges from F1 to F6, with F6 being described as an "inconceivable" storm and with the online site used for research noting that the winds within the funnel are not expected to reach these speed. The next two most violent categories, F4 and F5 known as "violent" make upalmost 70% of the deaths due to tornadoes world wide, but less than two percent of funnels reach the required wind strength which is between 207-318 miles per hour. F2 and F3 categories fall under the "strong classification according to the Emergency preparedness section of the www.chamerck.com website. These storms can last for twenty minutes or longer and the wind speeds can range from 113 to 206 miles per hour. Strong tornadoes cause about one-third of tornado-related deaths world-wide. Weak tornadoes, whose winds range from about 0 to 113 miles per hour and are classified as F0 or F1 on the Fujita scale make up approximately three quarters of storms seen world wide, but cause the least amount of deaths and last the shortest amount of time, lasting somewhere between one to ten minutes.

Now that we understand classifications, what to do during a tornado is simple. If you seen one approaching, seek shelter. If you are in a mobile home it might be a good idea to abandon it for a nearby ditch unless it has a foundation and more importantly a cellar. If a cellar is not available and you do not live in a trailer, go into the bathtub. Usually a bathtub is anchored to the ground and is often one of the few structures left standing in a tornado ravaged home. If possible place a mattress or a cushion over you to give you protection from all sides. The Red Cross and other organizations that concern themselves with emergency preparedness recommend putting together a "disaster kit" to use in such emergencies when they arise.

Sources:

http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Emergency+Management/Hazards/Natural+Disasters/Tornado+Categories.htm

http://www.tornadoproject.com/safety/safety.htm