Yes, tornadoes can pick up cars. This depends entirely on the storm’s intensity and the specific characteristics of the vehicle caught in its path. The powerful winds and extreme pressure dynamics within a tornado generate forces capable of moving, rolling, and even lofting passenger vehicles. Smaller cars are more vulnerable to being shifted or flipped by weaker storms, while heavier vehicles like large trucks or SUVs require the force of a more intense tornado to be thrown.
The Physics of Wind and Pressure
The primary mechanism by which a tornado exerts force on a car involves high-speed winds and significant pressure differences. The sheer force of the rotating air, known as the drag force, pushes the vehicle laterally along the direction of the wind flow. This tangential wind speed can exceed 100 miles per hour, generating immense pressure against the car’s surface area and overcoming the friction holding the tires to the ground.
The vertical movement of a car is largely influenced by the pressure differential at the vortex’s core. Tornadoes have an extremely low-pressure center compared to the air pressure outside the funnel. As this low-pressure core passes over a vehicle, the relatively higher pressure air trapped beneath the car exerts an upward force. This low-pressure effect contributes to the lift that can overcome the vehicle’s weight and throw it into the air.
The upward force is generated because the air pressure inside and underneath the car cannot equalize fast enough with the rapidly dropping external pressure. While aerodynamic forces from wind speed are generally stronger than pressure-gradient forces, the pressure drop still provides a significant component of the total upward lift. This combination of intense horizontal drag and vertical pressure lift is what makes the tornado’s power destructive.
Tornado Intensity and Vehicle Movement
The likelihood of a car being moved or picked up is directly correlated with the tornado’s power, rated using the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale. This scale classifies tornado intensity based on the severity of the damage caused. Weaker tornadoes, such as EF0 (65–85 mph) or EF1 (86–110 mph), typically cause only lateral shifting of vehicles, if any movement.
Vehicles face a significant risk of rolling or being lofted when a tornado reaches an intensity of EF2 or higher. An EF2 tornado features wind speeds between 111 and 135 miles per hour, often enough to flip a small car. Field surveys show that at EF1 and EF2 wind speeds, only about 5% of vehicles surveyed were rolled or thrown.
The danger escalates at higher levels of the scale. Tornadoes rated EF3 (136–165 mph) or EF4 (166–200 mph) are capable of picking up and throwing cars and trucks great distances. Data suggests that at these speeds, approximately 63% of vehicles are displaced, with 15% experiencing rolling or lofting motions. At EF5 intensity, all vehicles are expected to be moved or destroyed, often found wrapped around trees or thrown hundreds of feet.
Factors Determining a Car’s Vulnerability
The specific characteristics of a vehicle play a large part in how easily a tornado’s forces can overcome it. The most important factor is the vehicle’s mass; a heavier car requires a much greater force to be lifted off the ground than a lighter one. For example, a small compact sedan might be flipped by winds around 110 mph, while a large pickup truck or SUV may require winds upwards of 130 mph for a similar effect.
The vehicle’s aerodynamic profile is another significant variable. A car with a larger surface area and a higher profile, such as a van or SUV, presents a bigger target for the wind, making it more susceptible to overturning or lifting. Conversely, a vehicle with a lower center of gravity and a sleek shape is more stable against the initial drag forces. The friction between the tires and the road surface is the final defense against movement, but this is easily overcome by the high lateral forces of the wind before the vehicle becomes airborne.
Why Vehicles Offer Limited Shelter
The fact that tornadoes can move, roll, and throw cars means that remaining inside one during a storm is extremely dangerous. Vehicles offer very little structural protection against the forces of a moderate-to-strong tornado. The car’s cabin can be compromised by crushing forces if the vehicle is rolled or dropped, or by the impact of large, high-velocity debris.
The windows are no match for flying debris, such as tree limbs or pieces of building material, which can be driven through the interior by the wind. Because a vehicle is not anchored and can be turned into a projectile itself, it is one of the least safe places to be. If a sturdy building or underground shelter is not immediately accessible, the recommended safety action is to leave the vehicle. Seek the protection of a ditch or other low-lying area, lying flat and covering your head to avoid being hit by flying objects.