The Beaufort Scale 

In the Beaufort Scale, wind strengths are divided into 12 forces:

 

Force

Symbol

Name

Description

Approximate Speed (mph)

Image
           

Force 0

   Complete calm No motion.  Smoke rises straight up <1  

Force 1

 beaufort 1.jpg (919 bytes) Light air Smoke drifts 1-3 beaufort 1pic.jpg (990 bytes)

Force 2

 beaufort 2.jpg (931 bytes) Light breeze Wind felt on face. Leaves rustle. Weather is usually clear 4-7 beaufort 2pic.jpg (812 bytes)

Force 3

 beaufort 3.jpg (932 bytes) Gentle breeze Leaves and twigs move. Light flags flap 8-12 beaufort 3pic.jpg (1639 bytes)

Force 4

 beaufort 4.jpg (933 bytes) Moderate breeze Small branches move 13-18 beaufort 4pic.jpg (1231 bytes)

Force 5

 beaufort 5.jpg (967 bytes) Fresh breeze Bushes and small trees sway. Crests are common on sea and known as "white horses" 19-24 beaufort 5pic.jpg (1191 bytes)

Force 6

 beaufort 6.jpg (965 bytes) Strong breeze Wind whistles in electricity and telephone wires. Hard to use umbrellas 25-31 beaufort 6pic.jpg (1562 bytes)

Force 7

 beaufort 7.jpg (922 bytes) Near gale Whole trees sway and it becomes hard to walk in the wind. Sky may be dark and stormy 32-38 beaufort 7pic.jpg (1096 bytes)

Force 8

 beaufort 8.jpg (993 bytes) Gale Now very difficult to walk and tree twigs start to break 39-46 beaufort 8pic.jpg (1135 bytes)

Force 9

 beaufort 9.jpg (997 bytes) Strong gale Tiles and chimneys blown from roofs and branches may snap. Sky may be covered in thick cloud 47-54 beaufort 9pic.jpg (1284 bytes)

Force 10

 beaufort 10.jpg (1045 bytes) Storm Trees are uprooted and severe damage is caused to buildings 55-63 beaufort 10pic.jpg (1297 bytes)

Force 11

 beaufort 11.jpg (1041 bytes) Violent storm Widespread damage is caused to buildings 64-72 beaufort 11pic.jpg (1259 bytes)

Force 12

 beaufort 12.jpg (1079 bytes) Hurricane Severe devastation is caused 73+ beaufort 12pic.jpg (1325 bytes)

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