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The Beaufort Scale

THE BEAUFORT WIND SCALE

Beaufort
Scale
Number

Wind Speed

Wind Name Observable Wind Characteristics
m/sec mph kph
0 1 under 1 under 1 Calm Smoke rises vertically
1 1 1-3 1-5 Light air Wind direction shown by smoke drift
but not by wind vanes
2 2 4-7 6-11 Light breeze Wind felt on face; leaves rustle;
wind vanes move
3 4 8-12 12-19 Gentle breeze Leaves and small twigs in constant motion;
wind extends a light flag
4 7 13-18 20-28 Moderate Dust and loose paper raised;
small branches moved
5 10 19-24 29-38 Fresh Small trees in leaf begin to sway;
crested wavelets on inland waters
6 12 25-31 39-49 Strong Large branches in motion;
difficulty in using umbrellas;
whistling heard in telegraph wires
7 15 32-38 50-61 Near gale Whole trees in motion;
inconvenience in walking against wind
8 18 39-46 62-74 Gale Twigs broken off trees;
progress impeded
9 20 47-54 75-88 Strong gale Slight structural damage occurs
10 26 55-63 89-102 Storm Trees uprooted;
considerable damage occurs
11 30 64-72 103-117 Violent storm Widespread damage occurs
12-17 over 33 over 73 over 118 Hurricane  

Sea Disturbance Scale

Sea Disturbance Number Average Wave Height Observable Sea Characteristics
ft m
0 0 0 Sea like a mirror
0 0 0 Ripples like scales without foam crests
1 0-1 0.3 More definite wavelets;
crests do not break
2 1-2 0.3-0.6 Large wavelets;
crests begin to break;
scattered white horses
3 2-4 0.6-1.2 Small waves become longer;
fairly frequent white horses
4 4-8 1.2-2.4 Moderate waves with a more definite
long form; many white horses;
some spray possible
5 8-13 2.4-4 Large waves form;
more extensive white foam crests;
some spray probable
6 13-20 4-6 Sea heaps up;
streaks of white foam blown along
6 13-20 4-6 Moderately high waves of greater length;
well-marked streaks of foam
6 13-20 4-6 High waves; dense streaks of foam;
sea begins to roll; spray affects visibility
7 20-30 6-9 Very high waves with long overhanging crests;
dense streaks of foam blown along;generally
white appearance of surface;  heavy rolling
8 30-45 9-14 Exceptionally high waves;
long white patches of foam;
poor visibility;
ships lost to view behind waves
9 over 45 over 14 Air filled with foam and spray;
sea completely white;
poor visibility
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