For example, if a tornado rated before 2007 was an F5, the rating remains an F5, although its estimated wind speed may now be considered slightly lower than originally thought, according to the NWS.

People often think of mountains when they think of Colorado, but the Centennial State isn't all ski slopes — much of the state looks more like Kansas, and the severe weather reflects that.

For example, if a tornado rated before 2007 was an F5, the rating remains an F5, although its estimated wind speed may now be considered slightly lower than originally thought, according to the NWS.

This is based on wind speed and damage. After a tornado, the NWS sends teams to inspect the damage and properly assign a rating. The scale ranks tornadoes from an EF-0 all the way to an EF-5.

Pearce explained the process relies on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, developed from Ted Fujita’s work in the 1970s, and updated in 2007. It uses damage indicators like homes, trees, and utility ...

Both the frequency and severity of this year's tornadoes are far above the region's yearly average, according to the National Weather Service. In the past 33 years, the region has averaged around ...