Beaufort number> | Wind speed | Description | Wave height | Sea conditions | Land conditions | Sea state photo |
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km/h | mph | kts | m/s | m | ft |
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0 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <0.3 | Calm | 0 | 0 | Flat. | Calm. Smoke rises vertically. | |
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1 | 1-5 | 1-3 | 1-2 | 0.3-1.5 | Light air | 0.1 | 0.33 | Ripples without crests. | Wind motion visible in smoke. | |
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2 | 6-11 | 3-7 | 3-6 | 1.5-3.3 | Light breeze | 0.2 | 0.66 | Small wavelets. Crests of glassy appearance, not breaking | Wind felt on exposed skin. Leaves rustle. | |
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3 | 12-19 | 8-12 | 7-10 | 3.3-5.5 | Gentle Breeze | 0.6 | 2 | Large wavelets. Crests begin to break; scattered whitecaps | Leaves and smaller twigs in constant motion. | |
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4 | 20-28 | 13-17 | 11-15 | 5.5-8.0 | Moderate breeze | 1 | 3.3 | Small waves. | Dust and loose paper raised. Small branches begin to move. | |
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5 | 29-38 | 18-24 | 16-20 | 8.0-10.8 | Fresh breeze | 2 | 6.6 | Moderate (1.2 m) longer waves. Some foam and spray. | Branches of a moderate size move. Small trees begin to sway. | |
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6 | 39-49 | 25-30 | 21-26 | 10.8-13.9 | Strong breeze | 3 | 9.9 | Large waves with foam crests and some spray. | Large branches in motion. Whistling heard in overhead wires. Umbrella use becomes difficult. | |
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7 | 50-61 | 31-38 | 27-33 | 13.9-17.2 | High wind, Moderate Gale, Near Gale | 4 | 13.1 | Sea heaps up and foam begins to streak. | Whole trees in motion. Effort needed to walk against the wind. | |
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8 | 62-74 | 39-46 | 34-40 | 17.2-20.7 | Fresh Gale | 5.5 | 18 | Moderately high waves with breaking crests forming spindrift. Streaks of foam. | Twigs broken from trees. Cars veer on road. | |
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9 | 75-88 | 47-54 | 41-47 | 20.7-24.5 | Strong Gale | 7 | 23 | High waves (6-7 m) with dense foam. Wave crests start to roll over. Considerable spray. | Larger branches break off trees, and some small trees blow over. Construction/temporary signs and barricades blow over. Damage to circus tents and canopies. | |
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10 | 89-102 | 55-63 | 48-55 | 24.5-28.4 | Whole Gale/Storm | 9 | 29.5 | Very high waves. Large patches of foam from wave crests give the sea a white appearance. Considerable tumbling of waves with heavy impact. Large amounts of airborne spray reduce visibility. | Trees are broken off or uprooted, saplings become bent and/or deformed, poorly attached asphalt shingles and shingles in poor condition peel off roofs. | |
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11 | 103-117 | 64-72 | 56-63 | 28.4-32.6 | Violent storm | 11.5 | 37.7 | Exceptionally high waves. Very large patches of foam, driven before the wind, cover much of the sea surface. Very large amounts of airborne spray severely reduce visibility. | Widespread vegetation damage. Many roof shingles and surfaces sustain damage; gravel may be blown from flat roofs. | |
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12 | ≥118 | ≥73 | ≥64 | ≥32.6 | Hurricane | ≥14 | ≥46 | Huge waves. Sea is completely white with foam and spray. Air is filled with driving spray, greatly reducing visibility. | Considerable and widespread damage to vegetation, a few windows broken, structural damage to mobile homes and poorly constructed sheds and barns. Debris may be hurled about. | |
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