Enhance Fujita (EF) Scale Open Feedback Forum to be Held in Conjunction with American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting

Enhance Fujita (EF) Scale Open Feedback Forum to be Held in Conjunction with American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting

On Monday, February 3rd, 2014 from 1pm - 4pm EST, the National Weather Service (NWS) will host an open discussion with the American Meteorological Society (AMS) community regarding the current Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale for rating the strength of tornadoes. This discussion will serve to outline the strengths and deficiencies with the current EF-scale rating guidance, and solicit feedback and ideas from the weather community on how the rating process might be improved.

The need for this EF-scale Open Feedback Forum arose when the rating of the El Reno, OK tornado of May 31, 2013 occurred.

This forum will permit a broad discussion about questions and concerns related to the present day EF-scale process.

Should evolving sensing technologies, which may not measure tornado wind speeds at the surface be used in post storm surveys?

How can the NWS ensure the tornado rating process is consistent throughout the nation?

Should a standard be developed to strengthen the tornado rating process?
Is there a need to maintain calibration or other metadata information on research sensing systems that may supplement future post storm assessments?

How should tornadoes, which do not produce quantifiable damage to structures, be included?

Can supplemental observation information be included in the present day Storm Data construct? If so, what is an effective format to include this information?

Read > http://apps.weather.gov/efscale/index.php