| Description |
Wind Speed
Knots |
Wind Speed
Km |
Force |
Land |
Water |
| Calm |
0 - 1 |
0 1 |
0 |
Smoke rises
vertically |
Water is like a mirror. Cannot sail.
|
| Light Air |
1 - 3 |
1 - 5 |
1 |
Smoke indicates direction. Not
enough wind for vanes |
Small ripples on water. Enough
wind for a light Spinnaker |
| Light Breeze |
4 - 6 |
6 - 11 |
2 |
Wind felt on face. Tree leaves
start moving. Vanes now indicate direction. |
Small wavelets. Wind now fills
sail. |
| Gentle Breeze |
7 - 10 |
12 - 19 |
3 |
Small flags are extended.
Leaves move constantly. |
Large wavelets. Sailboats start
to heel. |
| Moderate Breeze |
11 - 16 |
20 - 28 |
4 |
Dust is raised by wind. Small
branches start bending. |
Good working breeze. Saiboats
at hull speed, full sail. |
| Fresh Breeze |
17 - 21 |
29 - 38 |
5 |
Small trees are reacting to
wind. |
Numerous whitecaps. Time to
shorten sails. |
| Strong Breeze |
22 - 27 |
39 - 49 |
6 |
Wind now whistles. Most
branches in trees moving. |
Whitecaps everywhere. Sailboats
start to head ashore. |
| Near Gale |
28 33 |
50 - 61 |
7 |
Whole trees now move. |
Much bigger waves. Sailboats
remain at harbour. |
| Gale |
34 - 40 |
62 - 74 |
8 |
Small branches are starting to
break. Walking is now hard. |
Foam in well marked streaks.
All boats now head in. |
| Strong Gale |
41 - 47 |
75 - 88 |
9 |
Buildings are starting to show
small damage. |
Low visibility due to spray. |
| Storm |
48 - 55 |
89 - 102 |
10 |
Dangerous Situation |
High seas over 8 metres |
| Violent Storm |
56 - 63 |
103 - 117 |
11 |
Dangerous situation |
High seas over 10 metres |
| Hurricane |
Over 63 |
Over 117 |
12 |
Dangerous situation |
High seas over 14 metres |
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