Forecast Improvements
WDTB Project 10 – Warning Decision-Making Research and Training: Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale Training
Funding Type: CIMMS Task II
Objectives
Develop instructional material on the Enhanced Fujita-Scale training modules
and the EFkit damage survey application.
Accomplishments
On 1 February 2007 the NWS began using a new damage rating scale, the Enhanced
Fujita (EF) Scale, to assess the strength of tornadoes. Prior to the
operational implementation of the scale, training on the new scale and
how to implement it was developed by NOAA/NWS/WDTB staff along with collaborators
from CIMMS and other agencies. This distance learning training allowed
NWS staff to be prepared to implement the new rating scale during damage
surveys.
In addition to developing training, CIMMS and WDTB staff collaborated to develop a PC-based application to assist NWS staff during and after damage surveys to help in the analysis of storm damage. This application, called EFkit, can be run on a standard PC, laptop, or even on a mobile Windows (e.g., PDA) operating system. The EFkit provides the operator an easy-to-navigate system of menus and images to help NWS staff compare the damage being observed to a series of visual examples of damage for a particular type of Damage Indicator (DI) and Degree of Damage (DOD). CIMMS staff has been developing simulated examples of DI and DOD categories for where no photographic examples are available. By creating illustrations for categories of DIs and DODs that lack an example, it increases the likelihood that NWS staff will accurately apply the correct rating to a damaged structure. These simulated illustrations are in the final stages of development and will be added to the next release of the EFkit.
This project is ongoing.
Publications
WDTB EF-Scale Training site: http://www.wdtb.noaa.gov/courses/EF-scale/
Simulated tornado damage image created for the EFkit for Damage Indicators and Degrees of Damage for where actual photos are not available.