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Forecasters and researchers following a developing hurricane can accurately measure and rate its strength soon after it begins by collecting data from storm-hunting airplanes, radars, and satellites. But experts have no similar way to judge a tornado's force before or during its touchdown, as tornadoes arise too quickly and are too dangerous to approach by airplane. Instead, after a tornado hits, the U.S. National Weather Service uses a rating system it adopted in 1973 called the Fujita Scale. Devised by meteorologist Theodore Fujita in 1970, the F-scale enables experts to estimate a tornado's maximum wind speed in relation to the single most destructive thing it did. In this interactive, use the F-scale to examine and rate the destruction caused by several recent tornadoes. To launch the interactive, click on the image at left.—Lexi Krock
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