Kyle C Williams
I know the highest measured windspeed on earth so far has been 318mph, just curious if anyone has any theorys as to what the maximum windspeed attainable could be? Say 350 maybe even 400mph?
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Ryan Wichman
EF3
This is going to open up a can of worms...oh boy.
Technically the F scale (yes, we now use the EF scale) does go up to F-12 although anything place F-5 is basically impossible and past F-6 is theoretical I believe.
Technically the F scale (yes, we now use the EF scale) does go up to F-12 although anything place F-5 is basically impossible and past F-6 is theoretical I believe.
rdale
EF5
The EF scale does not go up to 12, and the 318mph was not at the standard level above surface.
Shane Adams
In theory it did, with F-12 top winds being mach 1.
Greg Stumpf
EF5
And the 318 measurement was revised downward to 301 mph.
rdale
EF5
The F-scale did in theory. I've not seen anything note that the EF-scale does.
Dean Baron
Supporter
I think starting at F6, the ratings became non-operational.
Kyle C Williams
Im not talking about f ratings, we really only know the estimated wind speeds of tornadoes for the last 50 years or so. Im talking about a deeper science of it, based on say upper level wind speeds, maximum shear in the absolute ideal environment, everything totally maxxed out. Ive been curious about this for a long time, perhaps maybe a once in every 500 year storm that reaches a level we haven't seen. Obviously, something like mach 1 is impossible, but i would like to see others ideas of what a theoretical 'super' tornado could be like.
And i would also like to say hello to the forum, i have been lurking here for about 5 years. Weather nut since i was like 10.
And i would also like to say hello to the forum, i have been lurking here for about 5 years. Weather nut since i was like 10.
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Jason Foster
I'd chase an F12....!!
Ryan Wichman
EF3
The highest wind speed that would could likely record without a DOW right underneath the storm would be in the 350 mph range. After that all the destruction would likely be so severe, it is beyond recognition.
If we want to get into the realm of just throwing numbers out there, which is a fun game during the off-season of stormtrack and NEVER leads to flame wars..it'll have to be someone else. I'm not an expert on tornadogenesis or maturity, so I am not willing to throw a number out there. But if you ask me its not necessarily about the wind speed, its the path length. The longer the length is, the more objects and towns it is likely to hit.
And who is to say Mach 1 is impossible? Don't temp mother nature
Bob Hartig
EF5
No need to. All you'd have to do is get within 5 miles of the thing and you'd be just kind of absorbed into it.
Shane Adams
I don't acknowledge the two are different in any way other than name. It's a damage scale, and the damage portion of the scale remains unchanged. The tweaks to the theoretical windspeeds associated with each damage level are, as far as everyone outside of science is concerned, of no consequence. I still don't understand why they changed the name.
Adam Lucio
EF5
The question asks about a theoretical wind speed. It doesn't have to hit anything to reach that speed so trying to compare that to damage is a moot point. The theory behind f-6 level damage is that even if it were to occur, you would not be able to recognize it among the total destruction that happens with f-5 level [or ef-5 level...whatever.]
That being said...I am sure there are wind levels that have occurred higher than have been recorded by any human instrument. Just how high? I have no idea...records were made to be broken and given sufficient time any record has the chance to fall.
That being said...I am sure there are wind levels that have occurred higher than have been recorded by any human instrument. Just how high? I have no idea...records were made to be broken and given sufficient time any record has the chance to fall.
rdale
EF5
You don't have to acknowledge it, but the fact remains that they are very different - hence the name change.
Are you sure? I don't recall seeing all the damage indicator levels in the F-scale, nor did I see much real research into actual wind speeds (at least to the level that was incorporated to the EF scale.)
The F-Scale was more theoretical wind speeds. The EF-scale is much closer to reality.
Howard Robinson
EF2
In mother Russia, F12 tornado chases you!
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