What is the Fujita Scale for Tornadoes?
The Fujita Scale, named for Dr. Ted Fujita, is a chart used to measure the strength and damage caused by tornadoes. Historically it has been very difficult to measure wind speeds created by a tornado, so Dr. Fujita created a chart that was based on the amount of damage caused by a tornado instead of wind speeds. Technology is catching up, however, and more accurate wind speed estimates can be guaged for tornadoes. The Fujita chart, although only a general classification of strength, serves as a good starting place for rating tornadoes.
