The Fujita scale (F-Scale), or Fujita-Pearson scale, is a scale for rating tornado intensity, based primarily on the damage tornadoes inflict on human-built structures and vegetation. The official Fujita scale category is determined by meteorologists (and engineers) after a ground and/or aerial damage survey; and depending on the circumstances, ground-swirl patterns (cycloidal marks), radar tracking, eyewitness testimonies, media reports and damage imagery, as well as photogrammetry/videogrammetry if motion picture recording is available.
F0 TORNADO WINDS: 40-72 MPH AN F0 TORNADO WILL PRODUCE LIGHT DAMAGE. IT WILL CAUSE SOME DAMAGE TO CHIMNEYS. IT PEELS THE SHINGLES OFF THE ROOFS. IT BREAKS BRANCHES OFF TREES. IT ALSO PUSHES OVER SHALLOW ROOTED TREES.
F1 TORNADO WINDS: 73-112 MPH AN F1 TORNADO WILL PRODUCE MODERATE DAMAGE. IT SEVERELY STRIPS ROOFS. IT FLIPS OR ROLLS MOBILE HOMES. IT RIPS EXTERIOR DOORS OFF OF HOUSES. IT ALSO SHATTERS WINDOWS.
F2 TORNADO WINDS: 113-157 MPH AN F2 TORNADO WILL PRODUCE CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE. IT COMPLETELY RIPS ROOFS OFF OF HOUSES. IT COMPLETELY DESTROYS MOBILE HOMES. IT SNAPS LARGE TREES. IT ALSO FLIPS RAILROAD BOXCARS.
F3 TORNADO WINDS: 158-206 MPH AN F3 TORNADO WILL PRODUCE SEVERE DAMAGE. IT TEARS THE ROOFS AND SOME WALLS OFF OF HOUSES. IT DERAILS AND OVERTURNS TRAINS. IT DESTROYS OR SNAPS SOME TREES IN THE FOREST. IT ALSO LIFTS CARS OFF THE GROUND AND IT THROWS THEM AROUND.
F4 TORNADO WINDS: 207-260 MPH AN F4 TORNADO WILL LEAVE BEHIND EXTREME DAMAGE. IT COMPLETELY DESTROYS HOUSES. IT BLOWS AWAY HOUSES WITH WEAK FOUNDATIONS. IT PICKS UP CARS AND THROWS THEM LONG DISTANCES. IT ALSO TURNS OTHER LARGE OBJECTS INTO PROJECTILES.
F5 TORNADO WINDS: 261-318 MPH AN F5 TORNADO WILL LEAVE BEHIND COMPLETE DESTRUCTION. IT LIFTS HOUSES OFF THEIR FOUNDATIONS, CARRIES THEM, AND THEN DISINTEGRATES THEM. IT CAUSES HEAVY DAMAGE TO CONCRETE BUILDINGS. IT THROWS TRAINS VERY FAR DISTANCES. IT ALSO RIPS ALL THE BARK OFF OF TREES.