How are tornadoes primarily measured?

Tornadoes are primarily measured by the damage they cause. This measurement is typically referred to as the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale, which categorizes tornadoes based on the destruction they inflict on buildings and vegetation. The scale ranges from EF0, indicating minimal damage, to EF5, denoting incredible damage with significant destruction of well-built structures. The focus on damage assessment helps meteorologists and researchers effectively classify tornadoes and understand their intensity, as wind speeds can be difficult to measure directly due to the chaotic and rapidly changing nature of tornadoes themselves. In practice, the observed damage provides a more reliable means of determining the tornado's strength and potential risk to life and property.