The Beaufort Scale
| Force |
Wind (Knots) |
Classification | Wind Effect |
| 0 | less than 1 | Calm | Sea surface smooth and mirror-like |
| 1 | 1 to 3 | Light Air | Scaly ripples, no foam crests |
| 2 | 4 to 6 | Light Breeze | Small wavelets, crests glassy, no breaking |
| 3 | 7 to 10 | Gentle Breeze | Large wavelets, crests begin to break, scattered whitecaps |
| 4 | 11 to 16 | Moderate Breeze | Small waves 1-4 ft. becoming longer, numerous whitecaps |
| 5 | 17 to 21 |
Fresh Breeze |
Moderate waves 4-8 ft taking longer form, many whitecaps, some spray |
| 6 | 22 to 27 | Strong Breeze | Larger waves 8-13 ft, whitecaps common, more spray |
| 7 | 28 to 33 | Near Gale | Sea heaps up, waves 13-20 ft, white foam streaks off breakers |
| 8 | 34 to 40 | Gale | Moderately high (13-20 ft) waves of greater length, edges of crests begin to break into spindrift, foam blown in streaks |
| 9 | 41 to 47 |
Strong Gale |
High waves (20 ft), sea begins to roll, dense streaks of foam, spray may reduce visibility |
| 10 | 48 to 55 | Storm | Very high waves (20-30 ft) with overhanging crests, sea white with densely blown foam, heavy rolling, lowered visibility |
| 11 | 56 to 63 | Violent Storm | Exceptionally high (30-45 ft) waves, foam patches cover sea, visibility more reduced |
| 12 | 64+ | Hurricane | Air filled with foam, waves over 45 ft, sea completely white with driving spray, visibility greatly reduced |
(Feel free to copy and print out this chart - courtesy of The Frugal-Mariner.com)
If you're standing on the shore and looking out to sea, you should be able to tell at a glance just how strong the wind is blowing. This is your first indication of whether you should head out in your boat. If you are out in your boat, this should not be your first indication of when to head back. Learn to read the weather before it affects you.
THE BEAUFORT SCALE
The Beaufort Scale of Wind Force was developed in 1805 by Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort as a means for sailors to gauge wind speeds through visual observations of the sea state.
The scale runs from Force 0 (calm) to Force 12 (Hurricane).
The following photos are all U.S. Government Public Domain Photos.
Now go change your pants and look at something less scary.
of Wind Speed and Effect
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Notice: While we make every effort to ensure that the information provided on this website is accurate, we can not be held responsible for any mishaps which may occur as a result of your using information found in this website without verification through other, more authoritative sources such as the U.S. Coast Guard. |
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