Tornado Question

[Simon Timm]

If there was a relatively strong tornado (upper end e-f1 to upper end 2) in an open field with almost no debris, and I were to step into it, what would happen?

 

[Joey Ketcham]

If there was a relatively strong tornado (upper end e-f1 to upper end 2) in an open field with almost no debris, and I were to step into it, what would happen?

Your hair would get messed up

If winds are strong enough you could still be picked up and thrown.

 

[rdale]

I'm not sure we're in the right forum here, as this isn't "advanced met discussion" - but your question is poorly worded. If the tornado is in the open field, and there is no debris, then there is no way to tell is it's EF2.

 

[Joey Ketcham]

And it would be impossible to have no debris at all, I've seen straws of hay embedded into tree's and wood so even if there was literally no debris as in debris from structures being destroyed you would still have things like straws of hay flying at you in winds of 100+ MPH which could cause injuries if you're hit.

 

[Matt Sellers]

You'd probably get blown down and stung by whatever debris is flying around the vortex (even fine dirt/sand/grass would hurt a little); if the area in question is even slightly rain-soaked, add moisture/mud for extra stinging (and cosmetic) effect.

 

[Paul Austin]

You'd probably get blown down and stung by whatever debris is flying around the vortex (even fine dirt/sand/grass would hurt a little); if the area in question is even slightly rain-soaked, add moisture/mud for extra stinging (and cosmetic) effect.

Hurt a little? Ever been sand-blasted? A little bit of dust or sand (fine or coarse) could do an awful lot of painful damage with sufficient speed. Perhaps if one were to wear a rather heavy protective suit at least abrasion and lift could be kept to a minimum. Any larger debris then becomes a barrage of spears. I certainly wouldn't try it.

 

[Jason Harris]

I recall there was a video of a car being flipped up in the air and back down from an ef-2 tornado (111-135) that wasn't on the high end, just around 115-120.
Can't locate the video right now on ST, but I think this might be it:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1965903/tornado_throws_cars/

One would think EF-2 (yes, speaking loosely since it's based on damage not radar measured wind speed) is when you might get killed by being thrown, yes? Maybe have your riot outfit and inflatable-rubber raft and flak suit?

I believe it was an F-2 (118-161) in Belleville OH 1973 that (pulled/sucked?) threw my cousin out the mobile home window. She hung onto her baby and survived. But my cousin got paralyzed--paraplegia. I'm not 100% sure that's the right tornado, but I think so. I've been trying to research what exact date it would be without asking my cousin--not something she'd want to be asked.
I figure it's that one because May 10, 1973 is the only tornado listed in Richland county (where Belleville is) that has any injuries ever recorded.
http://www.tornadoproject.com/alltorns/ohtorn2.htm#R
Maybe I should post a thread about this one of these days to see if anyone else knows about the tornado that hit Belleville, OH in 1973.

Did sort of a related thread before on wind speeds and Tim answered much of that:
http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-15294.html

 

[Laura Duchesne]

Put it to you this way, if a weak tornado can sandblast a windshield pretty good (May 26th encounter), then could you imagine what would it do to your skin if you were standing out in it? Dirt would get embedded and you'd be plucking dirt from your skin for days I'd think. So a stronger tornado could probably either blow you over or even pick you up... I'd sooner not want to find out. As for the stinging, yeah that would happen too... I get stung even when standing out in dust from outflow!

 

[Jason Boggs]

If there was a relatively strong tornado (upper end e-f1 to upper end 2) in an open field with almost no debris, and I were to step into it, what would happen?

You would have to click your heels to get back home.

 

[B Doss]

I think the effects of even a low end EF1 tornado would be threatening to life or limb. Beyond being sand blasted and high potential for eye and ear barotrauma, the winds in a vortex cannot be compared to straight line variety of the same strength. I think it is probable that you would be disabled or killed in the scenario above.

 

[JIM SELLARS]

You would fly thru the air like BATMAN!!!!....A sand blasted, hurting BATMAN

 

[Jim Saueressig]

Dirt and sand alone would put you on the ground in pain at 100 mph plus easily I would imagine.

 

[Olivier Staiger]

you might feel your ears pop, your butt poop, your neck crack and your vision go black.

 

[Heidi Farrar]

If there was a relatively strong tornado (upper end e-f1 to upper end 2) in an open field with almost no debris, and I were to step into it, what would happen?

The next day the local newspaper would have a headline with the words, "Body recovered from yesterday's tornado..."

 

[Skip Talbot]

Just for arguments sake let's assume there isn't much sand or dirt. You wouldn't be able to see the tornado as there would be no visible debris cloud, but you'd more than likely survive. Provided you were in a position ready to accept the brunt of the wind, the body can easily take winds over 100 mph without problem. Yes your ears would pop, but I doubt pressure would cause any long term/permanent damage, as the pressure is only going to drop the equivalent of going to the top of a tall building. I give you a good chance of survival.