Wind Speed Chart
Beaufort | Miles per hour | Km per Hour | Land Description | Sailing Description |
0 | <1 | <1.6 | Calm: Still: Smoke will rise vertically. | Use the motor |
1 | 1-3 | 1.6-4.8 | Light Air: Rising smoke drifts, weather vane is inactive. | Use the motor |
2 | 4-7 | 6.4-11.3 | Light Breeze: Leaves rustle, can feel wind on your face, weather vane is inactive. | Full main, large jib, boat begins to heel (tilt) |
3 | 8-12 | 12.9-19.3 | Gentle Breeze: Leaves and twigs move around. Light weight flags extend. | FUN! Full main, large jib, boat heels (tilts) |
4 | 13-18 | 20.9-29.0 | Moderate Breeze: Moves branches, raises dust and paper. | GREAT! Full main, large jib, boat making speed |
5 | 19-24 | 30.6-38.6 | Fresh Breeze: Moves trees sway. | Leeward rail near water. Single reef in main, smaller jib |
6 | 25-31 | 40.2-50.0 | Strong Breeze: Large tree branches move, open wires (such as telegraph wires) begin to “whistle”, umbrellas are difficult to keep under control. | Sailing is “spirited”. Second reef in main |
7 | 32-38 | 51.5-61.2 | Moderate Gale: Large trees begin to sway, noticeably difficult to walk. | Can’t sail to windward. Three reefs in main (if possible) working jib |
8 | 39-46 | 62.8-74.0 | Fresh Gale: Twigs and small branches are broken from trees, walking into the wind is very difficult. | Boat’s sailing ability is limited. Use motor, seek shelter |
9 | 47-54 | 75.6-86.9 | Strong Gale: Slight damage occurs to buildings, shingles are blown off of roofs. | Run under bare poles, lie ahull, set a sea anchor |
10 | 55-63 | 88.5-101.4 | Whole Gale: Large trees are uprooted, building damage is considerable. | Promise things to any deity you can think of. |
11 | 64-72 | 103.0-115.9 | Storm: Extensive widespread damage. | These typically occur only at sea, and rarely inland. ARGH. |