THE BEAUFORT SCALE

Beaufort Number

Wind Velocity (Knots)

Wave Height (Feet)

Description

Force 0

<1

0

Calm

Force 1

1-3

0-0.5

Light Airs

Force 2

4-6

0.5-1.5

Light Breeze

Force 3

7-10

1.5-3

Gentle Breeze

Force 4

11-16

3-7.5

Moderate Breeze

Force 5

17-21

7.5-12

Fresh Breeze

Force 6

22-27

7.5-12

Strong Breeze

Force 7

28-33

12-18

Near Gale

Force 8

34-40

12-18

Gale

Force 9

41-47

18-27

Strong Gale

Force 10

48-55

27-42

Storm

Force 11

56-63

>42

Violent Storm

Force 12

>63

>42

Hurricane