The Beaufort Wind Scale was developed in 1805 to describe wind speed and its effects based on observations of sea and land conditions. It classifies wind speeds into 13 categories from 0-12 based on observed effects like wave height, foam coverage, tree movement, and structural damage. The scale provides descriptions of wind conditions on both water and land to allow classification of wind force in different environments.
The Beaufort Wind Scale was developed in 1805 to describe wind speed and its effects based on observations of sea and land conditions. It classifies wind speeds into 13 categories from 0-12 based on observed effects like wave height, foam coverage, tree movement, and structural damage. The scale provides descriptions of wind conditions on both water and land to allow classification of wind force in different environments.
The Beaufort Wind Scale was developed in 1805 to describe wind speed and its effects based on observations of sea and land conditions. It classifies wind speeds into 13 categories from 0-12 based on observed effects like wave height, foam coverage, tree movement, and structural damage. The scale provides descriptions of wind conditions on both water and land to allow classification of wind force in different environments.
Developed in 1805 by Sir Francis Beaufort of England
Wind WMO Appearance of Wind Effects
Force (Knots) Classification On the Water On Land Less Sea surface smooth and mirror- Calm, smoke rises 0 Calm than 1 like vertically Smoke drift indicates 1 1-3 Light Air Scaly ripples, no foam crests wind direction, still wind vanes Wind felt on face, leaves Small wavelets, crests glassy, no 2 4-6 Light Breeze rustle, vanes begin to breaking move Leaves and small twigs Large wavelets, crests begin to 3 7-10 Gentle Breeze constantly moving, light break, scattered whitecaps flags extended Dust, leaves, and loose Moderate Small waves 1-4 ft. becoming 4 11-16 paper lifted, small tree Breeze longer, numerous whitecaps branches move Moderate waves 4-8 ft taking Small trees in leaf begin 5 17-21 Fresh Breeze longer form, many whitecaps, to sway some spray Larger tree branches Larger waves 8-13 ft, whitecaps 6 22-27 Strong Breeze moving, whistling in common, more spray wires Whole trees moving, Sea heaps up, waves 13-19 ft, 7 28-33 Near Gale resistance felt walking white foam streaks off breakers against wind Moderately high (18-25 ft) Twigs breaking off trees, waves of greater length, edges 8 34-40 Gale generally impedes of crests begin to break into progress spindrift, foam blown in streaks High waves (23-32 ft), sea Slight structural damage begins to roll, dense streaks of 9 41-47 Strong Gale occurs, slate blows off foam, spray may reduce roofs visibility Very high waves (29-41 ft) with Seldom experienced on overhanging crests, sea white land, trees broken or 10 48-55 Storm with densely blown foam, heavy uprooted, "considerable rolling, lowered visibility structural damage" Exceptionally high (37-52 ft) 11 56-63 Violent Storm waves, foam patches cover sea, visibility more reduced Air filled with foam, waves over 45 ft, sea completely white with 12 64+ Hurricane driving spray, visibility greatly reduced