|
|
Forecasters and researchers following a developing hurricane
can accurately measure and rate its strength soon after it
begins by collecting data from storm-hunting airplanes,
radars, and satellites. But experts have no similar way to
judge a tornado's force before or during its touchdown, as
tornadoes arise too quickly and are too dangerous to approach
by airplane. Instead, after a tornado hits, the U.S. National
Weather Service uses a rating system it adopted in 1973 called
the Fujita Scale. Devised by meteorologist Theodore Fujita in
1970, the F-scale enables experts to estimate a tornado's
maximum wind speed in relation to the single most destructive
thing it did. In this interactive, use the F-scale to examine
and rate the destruction caused by several recent tornadoes.
To launch the
interactive, click on
the image at left.—Lexi Krock
|
|
