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This particular scale is primarily used at sea, but it useful to anyone interested in the weather. In 1805, Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort (of the British Navy) devised the following scale of wind velocity. The numbers are arranged in sequential order, with a low value zero to a high value of twelve. Listed below is the scale adapted to land.
| Beaufort Scale | Description | When You See This | Wind Speed mph | kmh |
|
| 0 | Calm | Smoke goes straight up. No wind present. | Less than 1 | Less than 2 |
| 1 | Light Air | Direction of the wind is shown by smoke drift, but not by a wind vane. | 1 - 3 | 2 - 5 |
| 2 | Light Breeze | Wind is felt on your face. Leaves rustle. Wind vane moves. | 4 - 7 | 6 - 11 |
| 3 | Gentle Breeze | Small twigs and leaves move steadily. Wind extends small flag straight out. | 8 - 12 | 12 - 19 |
| 4 | Moderate Breeze | The wind raises loose paper and dust. Small tree branches move. | 13 - 18 | 20 - 29 |
| 5 | Fresh Breeze | Waves form on lakes and ponds. Small trees sway. | 19 - 24 | 30 - 39 |
| 6 | Strong Breeze | arge tree branches move. Umbrellas become hard to use. Wires whistle. | 25 - 31 | 40 - 50 |
| 7 | Moderate Gale | Hard to walk against the wind. Whole trees are in motion. | 32 - 38 | 51 - 61 |
| 8 | Fresh Gale | Very difficult to walk against the wind. Twigs break from trees. | 39 - 46 | 62 - 74 |
| 9 | Strong Gale | Roof shingles are torn away. Small damage to buildings occur. | 47 - 54 | 75 - 87 |
| 10 | Whole Gale | Trees are uprooted. | 55 - 63 | 88 - 101 |
| 11 | Violent Storm | Widespread damage from the wind. | 64 - 72 | 102 - 116 |
| 12 | Hurricane | Widespread destruction from the wind. | 73+ | 117+ |
| Beaufort Scale | Description | When You See This | mph | kmh Wind Speed |
|
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