YOU KNOW you’re living in the computer age when even tornadoes start getting an upgrade.
Actually, it’s the rating system that’s been upgraded. For tornado chasers, storm spotters and professional meterologists, the old Fujita system for grading tornadoes is officially obsolete. As of last month, the new “Enhanced Fujita” system has taken its place.
It sounds like a semantic change, but it really is a big deal. The new scale is finer-grained, allowing for different degrees of damage and more accurate wind speeds. That means that damage asssessments can be more uniform and that better warnings can get out sooner.
That’s appreciated. In fact, Kansans will probably tolerate any change to the tornado system so long as it can continue to answer two basic questions:
Where is it now? And is it coming my way?
Scott Rochat
Senior Reporter