Significant Tornado Events

[Aaron Rider]

Jarrell is perfectly rated IMO. I feel like there’s been enough cases of slow moving monsters doing damage that is violent, yet still nothing compared to what Jarrell did (Bowdle 2010 is a good example). I would definitely call it at least a mid-tier F5 at worst, and I wouldn’t go any lower than that. I am definitely more on the side that it was an extremely high-end F5 and I’d put it in my top 5 for sure.

As for being stronger than Smithville, El Reno 2011, or Bridge Creek? No. Both moved far quicker and did very similar levels of violent damage. But the breadth of F5 damage in Jarrell was absolutely unparalleled, and IIRC it’s the only one that did F5 damage over a contour that exceeded hundreds of yards rather than only 30-40 yards. To me, that points to extremely violent winds in the core, and F5 winds being so far outside the true core are really telling to me about the violence of this beast.

Tri State is a tornado that I wouldn’t rate purely because of the fact that it happened so long ago, and I don’t know enough about it, but I do admit the damage is up there with the ones I listed that beat Jarrell in my opinion. That image of the peach (or was it another fruit?) tree grove being fully debarked and denuded was absolutely ludicrous.

And, of course, Tri State was booking it faster than the average "high ball" freight train of the era.

 

[HAwkmoon]

Jarrell is perfectly rated IMO. I feel like there’s been enough cases of slow moving monsters doing damage that is violent, yet still nothing compared to what Jarrell did (Bowdle 2010 is a good example). I would definitely call it at least a mid-tier F5 at worst, and I wouldn’t go any lower than that. I am definitely more on the side that it was an extremely high-end F5 and I’d put it in my top 5 for sure.

As for being stronger than Smithville, El Reno 2011, or Bridge Creek? No. Both moved far quicker and did very similar levels of violent damage. But the breadth of F5 damage in Jarrell was absolutely unparalleled, and IIRC it’s the only one that did F5 damage over a contour that exceeded hundreds of yards rather than only 30-40 yards. To me, that points to extremely violent winds in the core, and F5 winds being so far outside the true core are really telling to me about the violence of this beast.

Tri State is a tornado that I wouldn’t rate purely because of the fact that it happened so long ago, and I don’t know enough about it, but I do admit the damage is up there with the ones I listed that beat Jarrell in my opinion. That image of the peach (or was it another fruit?) tree grove being fully debarked and denuded was absolutely ludicrous.

EDIT: Also the fact that Tri-State was moving at 70+ mph at multiple points throughout its life and managing to do what it did… pretty absurd. Forgot to mention that @Aaron Rider

My article fully details the tornado's path, and it has over 1,000 photos of the damage attached. But it was extreme both structurally and contextually, definitely would put it up there as a top 5 tornado. And in my view the way it maintained such extreme intensity with the amount of damage feats it has, certainly gives it an argument for the top spot. But its splitting hairs cause all the most extreme tornadoes are all so incredibly violent.

 

[slenker]

My article fully details the tornado's path, and it has over 1,000 photos of the damage attached. But it was extreme both structurally and contextually, definitely would put it up there as a top 5 tornado. And in my view the way it maintained such extreme intensity with the amount of damage feats it has, certainly gives it an argument for the top spot. But its splitting hairs cause all the most extreme tornadoes are all so incredibly violent.

I'll definitely have to take a look into it when I have the time!