Beaufort scale

views updated

Beaufort scale Named after the 19th-century British naval officer who devised it, the Beaufort Scale assesses wind speed according to its effects. Originally designed in 1806 as an aid for sailors, it has since been adapted for use on land and was internationally recognised in 1874.

Scale

Wind speed

Name

km/h

mph

0

0–1

0–1

Calm

1

1–5

1–3

Light air

2

6–11

4–7

Light breeze

3

12–19

8–12

Gentle breeze

4

20–28

13–18

Moderate

5

29–38

19–24

Fresh

6

39–49

25–31

Strong

7

50–61

32–38

Near gale

8

62–74

39–46

Gale

9

75–88

47–54

Strong gale

10

89–102

55–63

Storm

11

103–117

64–72

Violent storm

12–17

118+

73+

Hurricane


More From encyclopedia.com

About this article

Beaufort scale

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article

Related Content

NEARBY TERMS

Beaufort scale