Are Enhanced Fujita ratings based on wind speeds during the storm?

Enhanced Fujita ratings, which are used to classify the intensity of tornadoes, are indeed based on wind speeds. This rating system takes into account the damage caused by a tornado and correlates it with estimated wind speeds. The Enhanced Fujita scale categorizes tornadoes from EF0 to EF5, with EF0 indicating light damage and EF5 indicating incredible damage.

The assessment involves examining the damage to structures and vegetation, which helps to estimate the wind speed at which the tornado occurred. This damage assessment is crucial, as it provides a more comprehensive understanding of the tornado's effects rather than merely focusing on the wind speed alone. Thus, the enhanced measure of wind speed in correlation with observed damage is the foundation for determining the Fujita rating, making the relationship between wind speeds during a storm and the ratings pivotal to the classification process.