Beaufort Wind Scale

The Beaufort Wind Scale is a standardized method used to rate wind speed. The Beaufort scale number is often referred to as a "force" number. The scale is based not by the actual wind speed, but the observed effects.

Beaufort Scale	Speed MPH	Description
0	below 1	Calm: smoke rises vertically
1	1-3	Light Air: Smoke drifts; leaves barely move
2	4-7	Light Breeze: Leaves rustle; wind can be felt
3	8-12	Gentle Breeze: Leaves and twigs move; debris and dust raised from ground
4	13 -18	Moderate Breeze: Small branches move; debris and dust raised from ground
5	19 - 24	Fresh Breeze: Small trees sway and large branches in motion; dust clouds raised
6	25 - 31	Strong Breeze: Large branches continuously move; wind whistles; difficulty using and umbrella
7	32 - 38	Moderate Gale: Large trees sway; difficulty walking
8	39 - 46	Fresh Gale: Twigs and small branches break; walking very difficult
9	47 - 54	Strong Gale: Slight damage to buildings; shingles blow off roof
10	55 - 63	Whole Gale: Large trees uprooted; heavy damage to buildings
11	64 - 72	Storm: Widespread damage
12	above 73	Hurricane: Severe damage and destruction