An F1 tornado is the second weakest tornado on the retired Fujita Scale. An F1 will have wind speeds between 73 and 112 mph (117 and 118 km/h). F1 tornadoes can cause moderate damage. On the Enhanced Fujita Scale, the tornado damage scale that replaced the Fujita Scale, an F1 tornado is now an EF1 tornado. An EF1 tornado has wind speeds between 86 and 110 mph (138 and 177 km/h).
A F1 tornado is weak, but has winds as strong as the weakest hurricane. It has wind speeds strong enough to tear off roofing surfaces. Mobile homes can be blown off their foundations and sometimes turned over. Motor vehicles in motion can be blown off the road. Small barns, detached garages and storage sheds could be destroyed.
F1 Tornado Facts
- An F1 tornado is the second weakest tornado on the retried Fujita Scale.
- An F1 tornado has wind speeds between 73 and 112 mph (117 and 118 km/h).
- Damage from an F1 tornado is described as moderate.
- In the United States, between 1950 and Jan 31st, 2007, there was 16,883 confirmed F1 tornadoes.
- In the United States, between 1950 and Jan 31st, 2007, there was 201 confirmed fatalities from F1 tornadoes.
- In the United States, between 1950 and Jan 31st, 2007, there was 6,325 confirmed injuries from F1 tornadoes.
- In the United States, between 1950 and Jan 31st, 2007, the deadliest F1 tornado was on 6/17/1978 and killed 16 people in Kansas.
- In the United States, between 1950 and Jan 31st, 2007, the F1 tornado to cause the most injuries was on 2/29/1952 and injured 166 people.
- In the United States, between 1950 and Jan 31st, 2007, the year with the most F1 tornadoes was 1973 with 497.
- On the current Enhanced Fujita Scale, an F1 tornado is now called an EF1 tornado.
Notable F1 Tornadoes
Below is a list of the top 5 deadliest F1 tornadoes between 1950 and Jan 31st, 2007.
- On June 17th, 1978, in Kansas, an F1 tornado killed 16 people.
- On November 16th, 1989, in New York, an F1 tornado killed nine people.
- On May 26th, 1974, in South Carolina, an F1 tornado killed six people.
- On March 29th, 1991, in Alabama, an F1 tornado killed five people.
- On May 15th, 1968, in Illinois, an F1 tornado killed four people.
Pictures of F1 Tornadoes
Below are photos of some F1 tornadoes throughout history.