Does the enhanced fujita estimate the winds just at ground level?

Question

Could the winds higher up exceed the winds at ground level?

Answer 1

The EF scale (and the old F-scale) isn't meant to provide an estimate of a tornado's wind speed, but an assessment of the damage it causes.  The EF scale improves on the F-scale in that takes into account the types of construction in the tornado's path.

It's generally agreed that the winds higher up are faster than they are at ground level.  The height that has the maximum wind speed is on the order of tens of meters above ground level.

And by the way, the fact that winds in a tornado are faster above the ground is only ONE reason why seeking shelter under a freeway overpass is an extremely BAD idea.