Beaufort wind scale

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Beaufort wind scale

Diagram of the Beaufort wind scale



The Beaufort wind scale is an empirical measure that relates wind speed to observed conditions at sea or on land. Its full name is the Beaufort wind force scale. It was devised in 1805 by Sir Francis Beaufort, a British Royal Navy officer, and has since been widely adopted for use in meteorology.

History[edit | edit source]

The Beaufort scale was originally developed in 1805 by Sir Francis Beaufort, a Royal Navy officer, to standardize the way wind force was described in ship logs. Before its creation, there was no uniform method to describe wind conditions, which led to inconsistencies in reports. Beaufort's scale was based on the effects of different wind forces on a full-rigged man-of-war ship, and it ranged from 0 (calm) to 12 (hurricane).

The scale was officially adopted by the British Admiralty in 1838 and later by the International Meteorological Organization. Over time, the scale was extended to include higher wind speeds and adapted for use on land.

Description[edit | edit source]

The Beaufort scale is divided into 13 classes, from 0 to 12, each corresponding to a range of wind speeds and a description of the sea or land conditions. The scale is as follows:

  • 0 - Calm: <1 km/h (0-1 mph). Smoke rises vertically.
  • 1 - Light air: 1-5 km/h (1-3 mph). Smoke drift indicates wind direction, but wind vanes do not.
  • 2 - Light breeze: 6-11 km/h (4-7 mph). Wind felt on face; leaves rustle; wind vanes begin to move.
  • 3 - Gentle breeze: 12-19 km/h (8-12 mph). Leaves and small twigs in constant motion; light flags extended.
  • 4 - Moderate breeze: 20-28 km/h (13-18 mph). Raises dust and loose paper; small branches are moved.
  • 5 - Fresh breeze: 29-38 km/h (19-24 mph). Small trees in leaf begin to sway; crested wavelets form on inland waters.
  • 6 - Strong breeze: 39-49 km/h (25-31 mph). Large branches in motion; whistling heard in telegraph wires; umbrellas used with difficulty.
  • 7 - Near gale: 50-61 km/h (32-38 mph). Whole trees in motion; inconvenience felt when walking against the wind.
  • 8 - Gale: 62-74 km/h (39-46 mph). Twigs break off trees; generally impedes progress.
  • 9 - Strong gale: 75-88 km/h (47-54 mph). Slight structural damage occurs; chimney pots and slates removed.
  • 10 - Storm: 89-102 km/h (55-63 mph). Trees uprooted; considerable structural damage occurs.
  • 11 - Violent storm: 103-117 km/h (64-72 mph). Widespread damage.
  • 12 - Hurricane: ≥118 km/h (≥73 mph). Severe and extensive damage.

Applications[edit | edit source]

The Beaufort scale is used in various fields, including meteorology, marine navigation, and aviation. It provides a standardized way to describe wind conditions, which is crucial for weather forecasting and reporting.

In marine contexts, the scale helps sailors and mariners assess the potential impact of wind on sea conditions, which is vital for navigation and safety. On land, the scale is used to describe wind conditions in weather reports and forecasts.

Modern Adaptations[edit | edit source]

While the original Beaufort scale was based on observations at sea, modern adaptations have extended its use to land conditions. The scale has also been expanded to include higher wind speeds, particularly for use in describing tropical cyclones and hurricanes.

Also see[edit | edit source]

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