Beaufort Scale


Force Description Result   Wind Speed   Wind Speed
        mph   kph
0 Calm Smoke rises vertically   0 - 1   0 - 1
1 Light air Wind direction indicated by smoke but not wind vanes   1 - 3   1 - 5
2 Light breeze Wind noticeable, leaves move, wind vane moves.   4 - 7   6 - 11
3 Gentle breeze Leaves and small twigs in constant motion.   7 - 12   12 - 19
4 Moderate breeze Wind raises dust and loose paper. Small branches are moved.   12 - 18   20 - 29
5 Fresh breeze Small trees in leaf start to sway.Crested wavelets form on inland waters.   19 - 24   30 - 39
6 Strong breeze Large branches in motion, wind whistles. Umbrellas used with difficulty.   25 - 31   40 - 50
7 Near gale. Trees in motion, awkward to walk against wind.   32 - 38   51 - 61
8 Gale Twigs break, hard to walk.   39 - 46   62 - 74
9 Strong gale Some structural damage may occur, slates removed etc.   47 - 54   75 - 87
10 Storm Trees uprooted, considerable structural damage.   55 - 63   88 - 101
11 Violent storm Widespread damage.   63 - 73   102 - 117
12 Hurricane Widespread damage.   73 +     118 +  


Last Updated on 09/03/2000
By Garrath Bond