Variable Description

Variable: Wind Speed
Units m/s
Description So just how fast is the wind blowing?

Beaufort Wind Scale

0 --- Calm less than 1 mph (0 m/s) Smoke rises vertically
1 --- Light air 1 - 3 mph
0.5-1.5 m/s
Smoke drifts with air, weather vanes inactive
2 --- Light breeze 4 - 7 mph
2-3 m/s
Weather vanes active, wind felt on face, leaves rustle
3 --- Gentle breeze 8 - 12 mph
3.5-5 m/s
Leaves & small twigs move, light flags extend
4 --- Moderate breeze 13 - 18 mph
5.5-8 m/s
Small branches sway, dust & loose paper blows about
5 --- Fresh breeze 19 - 24 mph
8.5-10.5 m/s
Small trees sway, waves break on inland waters
6 --- Strong breeze 25 - 31 mph
11-13.5 m/s
Large branches sway, umbrellas difficult to use
7 --- Moderate gale 32 - 38 mph
14-16.5 m/s
Whole trees sway, difficult to walk against wind
8 --- Fresh gale 39 - 46 mph
17-20 m/s
Twigs broken off trees, walking against wind very difficult
9 --- Strong gale 47 - 54 mph
20.5-23.5 m/s
Slight damage to buildings, shingles blown off roof
10 -- Whole gale 55 - 63 mph
24-27.5 m/s
Trees uprooted, considerable damage to buildings
11 -- Storm 64 - 73 mph
28-31.5 m/s
Widespread damage, very rare occurrence
12 -- Hurricane over 73 mph
over 32 m/s
Violent destruction


NERACOOS Gulf of Maine Moorings | NERACOOS Home | Software

Questions? Contact the Webmaster