An EF5 Tornado Recorded in the U.S. for the First Time in 12 Years

In the United States, an EF5 tornado, which is the maximum intensity level, has not been recorded for more than 12 years. This was reported by Levon Azizyan, the director of the Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center.

The U.S. National Weather Service recently conducted a comprehensive data analysis regarding the tornado that occurred on June 20 in Enderlin, North Dakota, and upgraded its classification to EF5. Experts estimate that the maximum wind speed reached 338 km/h (94 m/s) as the tornado passed through the Cass and Ransom counties, resulting in the deaths of three individuals.

Why was the report published nearly four months after the tornado struck North Dakota? After every tornado report, the meteorological service sends a team of meteorologists to assess the damage and determine whether it corresponds to the destruction caused by the tornado, and if so, what category it falls under on the Fujita scale. This process often takes several days or weeks; however, sometimes, as in this case, it can take months.

For the final assessment, the National Service engaged a team of engineers and scientists, who determined that the lifting of railroad cars approximately 150 meters into the air, as well as the complete overturning of grain-laden cars, corresponded with the wind speeds characteristic of an EF5 tornado. It is interesting to note that without these cars, it would have been nearly impossible to establish the EF5 intensity of the tornado, as the Fujita scale is based solely on the damages and destruction caused by the tornado.