Juliett Bravo Kilo
Member
Out of curiosity, was spiral markings used as wind speed estimates once considered reliable, and only now since we have much better methods of measuring tornado intensity it looks foolish in retrospect? Fujita was also big on photogrammetry, correct? Has this also been proven to be pseudoscience?I’ve said this before, but estimating wind speed based on spiral markings is complete and utter pseudoscience. Unfortunately, Dr. Fujita used this method for some of his ratings, namely Goessel and Xenia. Both of those have undeserved reputations for being remarkably violent because of this. In reality, there wasn’t much that was really remarkable about them at all. Both would be rated EF4 today.
Oh and I know this is blasphemy, but I take Plainfield’s F5 rating with a healthy dose of skepticism. I mean come on it was based on CORN! Not removal of grass, topsoil, or any typical type of scouring that is known to be associated with violent tornadoes. I do not buy it.Yes, Fujita revolutionized the field, but people need to stop taking his old studies as gospel. Some of his methods and calls do not hold up to modern-day scrutiny.
Concerning Plainfield, I thought it did cause some ground scouring as well, not just rip up cornstalks, but I'd have to dig up damage pics of it again.