EF0EF1

EF0EF1 is a nonstandard, descriptive shorthand used in tornado damage surveys to indicate a track in which the observed damage varied from EF0 to EF1 intensity. It is not an official category on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which assigns a single rating to a tornado based on the most intense damage observed along its path. The EF0-EF1 designation communicates variability in wind strength and damage across different segments of the tornado’s track.

Background on the Enhanced Fujita scale: EF0 corresponds to estimated wind speeds of 65–85 mph and minor damage, such as shallow roof damage or branches broken from trees. EF1 corresponds to about 86–110 mph and moderate damage, including more substantial roof damage, some exterior walls, or mobile homes affected. Ratings are assigned by meteorologists after on-site surveys using damage indicators, construction quality, and debris patterns. In practice, the overall rating of a tornado often reflects the most intense damage observed, but survey reports may note a range of damage severities along the path.

Usage and interpretation: In post-storm summaries, EF0EF1 appears when investigators find multiple segments with different damage levels along a single path, or when preliminary surveys suggest a range before a final assessment is completed. This notation helps convey the heterogeneity of a tornado’s intensity, which can be influenced by factors such as terrain, debris concentration, construction quality, and local variations in the wind field. It is a descriptive shorthand rather than a formal classification, used to communicate observed variability to researchers, emergency managers, and the public.