 |
Storm |
Meaning: a storm consists of
very strong winds that sometimes bring heavy rain and hailstones.
Beaufort Scale
The Beaufort Scale was invented by Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort
(1774-1857) in 1805 to help sailor describe the wind conditions at
sea. It has since been adapted for use on land. By using this chart
a person can gauge wind speed. The use of instruments that can
accurately measure wind speed has superseded the scale, however it
is still in popular use.
|
The
Beaufort scale |
|
Beaufort
Number |
Description
|
Km/h |
Visual |
|
0 |
calm
|
0 - 2 |
smoke rises
vertically |
|
1 |
light air |
2 - 5 |
smoke drifts
slowly |
|
2 |
slight breeze
|
6 - 12 |
leaves rustle |
|
3 |
gentle breeze |
13 - 20 |
leaves and
twigs in motion |
|
4 |
moderate
breeze |
21 - 29 |
small branches
move |
|
5 |
fresh breeze |
30 - 39 |
small trees
sway |
|
6 |
strong breeze |
40 - 50
|
large branches
sway |
|
7 |
moderate gale |
51 - 61 |
whole trees in
motion |
|
8 |
fresh gale |
62 - 74
|
twigs break
off trees |
|
9 |
strong gale |
75 - 87 |
branches break |
|
10 |
whole gale |
88 - 101
|
trees snap and
are blown down |
|
11 |
storm |
102 - 115
|
widespread
damage |
|
12 |
hurricane |
116 - 130 |
extreme damage |
|