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The Beaufort Wind Scale

 See ~    http://boatingsailing.suite101.com/article.cfm/beaufort_wind_force_scale      <click

This is a scale of numbers used by meteorologists to indicate the force of the wind measured at 33 feet above level ground.
The scale was devised by Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort in 1805.
It now consisits of numbers from 0 to 17 but usually only the first 12 are used.


Scale No.
Wind
force
 Miles
per hour		 Knots Land Description Sea Description
0 Calm
less
than
1
less
than 1
 Smoke rises vertically. Sea mirror smooth.
1 Light Air 1
to
3		 1
to
3		 Direction shown by smoke but not vanes. Sails just fill. 
Ripples on water.
2 Slight Breeze
4
to
7
 4
to
6		 Wind felt on face. 
Leaves just rustle. 
Ordinary vane moved.		 Penant moves. 
Very small waves.
3 Gentle Breeze 8
to
12		 7
 to
10
Leaves & small twigs in constant motion.
Light flag extended.
 Crests on small waves. 
Light flag extended.
4 Moderate Breeze 13
to
18		 11
 to
16
Raises dust &
loose paper. 
Small branches moved.
 Small waves with white horses.
5 Fresh Breeze 19
to
24		 17
to
21		 Small trees in leaf begin to sway. Moderate waves with many white horses.
6 Strong Breeze 25
to
31		 22
to
27		 Large branches in motion.
Whistling telegraph wires. 
Difficulty with umbrellas. 
Large waves. 
White foam crests with some streaks.
7 Moderate Gale 32
to
38		 28
 to 33		 Whole trees in motion.  Inconvenience felt in walking against the wind.
Wind whistles.
Rough foaming sea with streaks of spray.
8 Fresh Gale 39
to
46		 34
to
40
Twigs break off trees.
 Progress generally impeded.
 High waves & spin drift.
Dense streaks of foam.
9 Strong Gale 47
to
54		 41
to
47		 Slight structural damage occurs.  Chimney pots &
slates removed. 
Branches break.
High waves. 
Dense spray.
Visibility much reduced.
10 Whole Gale 55
to
63		 48
 to 55
Trees uprooted  Buildings sometimes blown down
 Very high waves in white frothing sea
11 Storm 64
 to
72		 56
to
 63
Widespread damage.
 Storm seldom experienced inland.
 Air full of spray. 
Large troughs & very
large waves up to 45 feet in open water.
12 Hurricane more than 72 more than 63 Devastation.
Devastation - take cover.
Waves higher than
45 feet in open water.


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