Yes, a tornado can absolutely pick up a car. The powerful updrafts within a tornado are more than capable of lifting a vehicle, which is why seeking shelter in a car is one of the most dangerous actions you can take during a tornado. The key factor is the tornado's intensity, measured on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale. While weaker tornadoes may only push a car around, a strong tornado (EF-2 and above) can easily lift it off the ground.
The risk depends heavily on the tornado's strength. Here’s a breakdown of what different levels of tornadoes can do to a vehicle:
| Enhanced Fujita Scale Rating | Estimated Wind Speed (3-second gust) | Potential Impact on a Car |
|---|
| EF-0 | 65-85 mph | Light damage; can be pushed or have windows broken. |
| EF-1 | 86-110 mph | Can be pushed off the road or rolled over. |
| EF-2 | 111-135 mph | Can be lifted and thrown significant distances. |
| EF-3 | 136-165 mph | Vehicles can become heavy, dangerous projectiles. |
| EF-4 | 166-200 mph | Complete destruction of vehicles; often found mangled beyond recognition. |
| EF-5 | > 200 mph | Cars can be tossed hundreds of yards or more. |
The physics behind this is straightforward. Tornadoes generate extremely low pressure at their center. The higher pressure inside a closed car can actually contribute to it being pushed upward. More significantly, the high wind speeds create lift forces underneath and around the vehicle, similar to how an airplane wing works, but with chaotic and devastating results.
Your safest option is always to evacuate your vehicle for a sturdy building or an underground shelter. If you are caught outside with no other shelter, the National Weather Service advises parking the car, keeping your seatbelt on, and getting as low as possible below the windows, covering your head. However, this is a last-resort option and remains extremely hazardous because of the very real possibility of the car being lifted and tossed.
