Why was this tornado rated f2, when the windspeeds were measured in excess of 180 mph(link below)?

Question

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_May_2004_tornado_outbreak_sequence_tornadoes

And if the measurements were taken when the E-f scale was first in effect, what would it be rated?

Answer 1

Remember that the new EF scale is based on the amount and what kind of damage is done not just on wind speed.  To convert this just on wind speed would not be an accurate conversion.  The tornado would be rated alone on wind speed as an EF 4.  But this is not accurate.  Without looking at pictures of the damage there is no way to rate this on the EF scale.  But I will guess and say it would have been an EF-3.  The EF scale is based on what kind of damage occurs to different kinds of building and objects not solely on wind speed.  

I will leave you with the EF scale

EF-0 65-85 mph Mostly light damage will occur. Roofs might be partially missing, trees will be uprooted, very weak structures damaged.

EF-1 86–110 mph Extensive roof damage, cars  can be tossed, weak outside walls can collapse.

EF-2 111–135 mph Weak homes can be severely damaged, roofs  can missing, cars tossed for a good distance.

EF-3 136–165 mph Entire stories of well constructed homes  severely damaged, severe damage to large buildings, trains can be overturned, heavy cars lifted off the ground and thrown, structures with weak foundations blown away.

EF-4 166–200 mph Well-constructed houses and whole frame houses completely leveled, cars thrown and can act like missiles.

EF-5 >200 mph Strong frame houses leveled off foundations and can be swept away, high-rise buildings have significant structural damage, not likely to survive if not underground.

Answer 2

To clarify and add to what WR said - that was probably not an anemometer reading, it was a damage report reading, meaning that it had (at least according to the EF scale) extraordinarily over-estimated wind speeds.

I disagree with WR on one point - the EF scale categories are designed to mimic precisely their F-scale counterparts, so the F2 would be an EF2, not an EF3.