The intensity of a tornado is assessed using the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale, a standard system that rates the storm primarily by the damage it leaves behind. This scale ranges from EF0, the weakest, up to EF5 for the most catastrophic. An EF2 tornado is classified as a strong storm, possessing distinct visual characteristics and damage patterns that distinguish it from lesser or greater events.
Understanding the EF2 Rating
The EF Scale categorizes a tornado’s intensity based on its estimated three-second wind gust speed, derived from the damage observed. An EF2 tornado falls into the “strong” category, with estimated wind speeds ranging from 111 to 135 miles per hour. This places it significantly above the EF1 rating, which is considered a weak tornado, and just below the EF3 rating, which begins the range of severe tornadoes.
The jump from an EF1 to an EF2 signifies a substantial increase in destructive power, moving from moderate damage to significant damage. EF2 represents the first level where a tornado typically causes major structural compromise to well-built frame homes. This classification helps meteorologists and emergency personnel objectively assess the event’s severity, providing a standardized measure of its destructive potential.
Physical Appearance of the EF2 Funnel
The visual presentation of an EF2 tornado reflects its increased power compared to weaker funnels. Strong tornadoes, including EF2s, often appear as short, broad, or cylindrical pillars rather than the classic, narrow cone shape. The condensation funnel, the visible column of water droplets, is robust and extends fully from the cloud base down to the ground.
The funnel often appears dark gray or black, a direct result of ingesting significant amounts of dirt, debris, and dust from the ground. This cloud of whirling debris near the surface is substantial and violent, often obscuring the lower part of the condensation funnel itself. The volume of material being lifted makes the base of the EF2 vortex visibly wider and more menacing than a weaker EF0 or EF1 storm.
Indicators of EF2 Damage
The most telling sign of an EF2 tornado is the considerable damage it inflicts upon man-made structures. Well-constructed frame houses typically sustain the loss of their entire roof structure, and some exterior walls may be compromised or collapsed. While interior walls often remain standing, the building’s overall structural integrity is severely tested.
Mobile homes are usually completely destroyed by EF2 winds, often being demolished and scattered across the path. In the natural environment, large trees are either snapped off at the trunk or completely uprooted. Evidence of “de-barking,” where the bark is stripped from trees, is a sign of the powerful, high-speed winds associated with this intensity.
The storm’s force is evident in the way it handles vehicles and other heavy objects. Cars can be lifted off the ground and tossed significant distances, demonstrating the immense kinetic energy of the rotating wind field. The debris itself becomes a destructive force, as smaller objects are turned into high-velocity projectiles, causing considerable damage. This pattern of major, rather than superficial, destruction is the definitive indicator for an EF2 rating.