THE BEAUFORT SCALE, ADAPTED FOR USE ON LAND

Beaufort Force
Description
Specification on land
Speed

knots km/h mph

0 Calm Smoke rises vertically. Less than 1 Less than 1 Less than 1
1 Very Light Direction of wind shown by smoke drift but not by wind vanes. 1 - 3 1 - 5 1 - 3
2 Light breeze Wind felt on face, leaves rustle, ordinary wind vane moved by wind. 4 - 6 6 - 11 4 - 7
3 Gentle breeze Leaves and small twigs in constant motion, wind extends white flag. 7 - 10 12 - 19 8 - 12
4 Moderate breeze Wind raises dust and loose paper, small branches move. 11 - 16 20 -29 13 - 18
5 Fresh breeze Small trees in leaf start to sway, crested wavelets on inland waters. 17 - 21 30 39 19 - 24
6 Strong breeze Large branches in motion, whistling in telegraph wires, umbrellas used with difficulty. 22 - 27 40 - 50 25 - 31
7 Near gale Whole trees in motion, inconvenient to walk against wind. 28 - 33 51 - 61 32 - 38
8 Gale Twigs break from trees, difficult to walk. 34 - 40 62 - 74 39 - 46
9 Strong gale Slight structural damage occurs, chimney pots and slates removed. 41 - 47 75 - 87 47 - 54
10 Storm Trees uprooted, considerable structural damage occurs. 48 - 55 88 - 101 55 - 63
11 Violent storm Widespread damage. 56 - 63 102 - 117 64 - 73
12 Hurricane Widespread damage. >64 >119 >74