An F3 tornado is the third most intense tornado on the retired Fujita Scale. An F3 will have wind speeds between 158 and 206 mph (254 and 332 km/h). F3 tornadoes can cause severe damage. On the Enhanced Fujita Scale, the tornado damage scale that replaced the Fujita Scale, an F3 tornado is now an EF3 tornado. An EF3 tornado has wind speeds between 136 and 165 mph (218 and 266 km/h).
An F3 is a very strong tornado. It has wind speeds strong enough to tear the roof off a modern, well-constructed home. An entire train can be overturned. Most vegetation, including large trees, can be completely unrooted. Heavy vehicles, such as SUVs, can be lifted off the ground and tossed around.
F3 Tornado Facts
- An F3 tornado is the third strongest tornado on the retried Fujita Scale.
- An F3 tornado has wind speeds between 158 and 206 mph (254 and 332 km/h).
- Damage from an F3 tornado is described as severe.
- In the United States, between 1950 and Jan 31st, 2007, there was 2,143 confirmed F3 tornadoes.
- In the United States, between 1950 and Jan 31st, 2007, there was 1,055 confirmed fatalities from F3 tornadoes.
- In the United States, between 1950 and Jan 31st, 2007, there was 19,991 confirmed injuries from F3 tornadoes.
- In the United States, between 1950 and Jan 31st, 2007, the deadliest F3 tornado was on 2/22/1998 and killed 25 people in Florida.
- In the United States, between 1950 and Jan 31st, 2007, the F3 tornado to cause the most injuries was on 4/18/1953 and injured 495 people.
- In the United States, between 1950 and Jan 31st, 2007, the year with the most F3 tornadoes was 1974 with 99.
- On the current Enhanced Fujita Scale, an F3 tornado is now called an EF3 tornado.
Notable F3 Tornadoes
Below is a list of the top five deadliest F3 tornadoes between 1950 and Jan 31st, 2007.
- On February 22nd, 1998, in Florida, an F3 tornado killed 25 people.
- On November 6th, 2005, in Kentucky and Indiana, an F3 tornado killed 24 people.
- On March 31st, 1962, in Florida, an F3 tornado killed 17 people.
- On April 2nd, 2006, in Tennessee, an F3 tornado killed 16 people.
- On April 21st, 1984, in Mississippi, an F3 tornado killed 15 people.
Pictures of F3 Tornadoes
Below are photos of some F3 tornadoes throughout history.