Which scale is used to assess tornado intensity?

The Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale is specifically designed to assess the intensity of tornadoes based on the damage they cause to buildings and vegetation. This scale, which ranges from EF0 to EF5, evaluates the severity of damage, allowing meteorologists to categorize tornadoes based on their wind speeds and the extent of destruction they inflict. EF0 represents the weakest tornadoes, with estimated wind speeds less than 85 mph, while EF5 represents the most powerful tornadoes, with wind speeds over 200 mph.

In contrast, other scales like the Richter scale are used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes, the Maritime scale focuses on marine weather systems, and the Saffir-Simpson scale is designed for hurricanes, assessing their wind speeds and potential damage. Each of these scales serves a distinct purpose, highlighting the importance of using the Enhanced Fujita scale specifically for tornado intensity assessment. This focus on damage caused allows for a more accurate understanding of a tornado's impact on the environment and communities.