Difference Between Tornado And Microburst Damages

 

What's the difference between tornado and microburst,Straight-line winds. We just can't say it was a tornado or microburst when there were a strong wind destroying everything.So,.What's the difference Between Tornado And Microburst Damages

When a tornado occurs, trees will tend to fall in varying direction rather than in a straight line. The trees will show torque, spin, in their pattern of damage. Also the overall force which causes a building collapse, or windows to blow out, roofs to blow off would all suggest a tornado.

However if the damage fell in a straight line which indicates a downburst or microburst for a thunderstorm cell. The winds were oriented in a straight line. During surveys, the National Weather Service will even examine blades of grass to see if the grass was bent in different directions.



Tree damage from a downburst


Thunderstorm forming over Lusk  by B.Keagen of Casper,Wyoming

Of course photographs and eye-witness noticing of funnels is the surest way of making a determination, but in our part of the country, the funnels are often shrouded in heavy rain. We don't get to see it.

  A microburst is a very localized column of sinking air, producing damaging divergent and straight-line winds at the surface that are similar to, but distinguishable from, tornadoes which generally have convergent damage.(wiki)

Thunderstorm in East Sydney, AU (sources)

But there is really nothing "Micro" in terms of damage from a microburst or straight-line winds which can reach speeds in excess of 100 mph!

Below listed the scale of tornado damage,the scale was enhanced in 2007, with rankings running from EF (Enhanced Fujita) - 0 through 5. The ratings are based on the amount and type of wind damage.

The ratings are:
EF-0. Light damage
Wind 65 to 85 mph. Causes some damage to siding and shingles

EF-1. Moderate damage
Wind 86 to 110 mph. Considerable roof damage. Winds can uproot trees and overturn single-wide mobile homes. Flagpoles bend.


EF-2. Considerable damage
Wind 111 to 135 mph. Most single-wide mobile homes destroyed. Permanent homes can shift off foundation. Flagpoles collapse. Softwood trees debarked.

EF-3. Severe damage
Wind 136 to 165 mph. Hardwood trees debarked. All but small portions of houses destroyed.

EF-4. Devastating damage
Wind 166 to 200 mph. Complete destruction of well-built residences, large sections of school buildings.

EF-5. Incredible damage
Wind above 200 mph. Significant structural deformation of mid- and high-rise buildings.

Classic F5 tornado damage. The Bridge Creek/Moore, Oklahoma, tornado of 3 May 1999 leveled this house. Source.click to enlarge

 Hurricane Andrew was here,(1992) Source:click to enlarge
 


Katina /  Katrina Hurricane is EF 4 with 175 mph (280 km/h)

 
 Flooded I-10/I-610/West End Blvd interchange and surrounding area of northwest New Orleans and Metairie, Louisiana







More Toronto and Hurricane captures Check out:
10 Most Damaging Tornado of All Time
How Tornado hit the Cars (video)