Beaufort Scale

No. Description Features Speed (mph)
0 Calm Smoke rises vertically; water smooth 0–1
1 Light Air Smoke shows wind direction; water ruffled 1–3
2 Light Breeze Leaves rustle; wind felt on face 4–7
3 Gentle Breeze Loose paper blows around 8–12
4 Moderate Breeze Branches sway 13–18
5 Fresh Breeze Small trees sway, leaves blown off 19–24
6 Strong Breeze Whistling in telephone wires; sea spray from waves 25-31
7 Near Gale Large trees sway 32–38
8 Gale Twigs break from trees 39–46
9 Strong Gale Branches break from trees 47–54
10 Storm Trees uprooted; weak buildings collapse 55–63
11 Violent Storm Widespread damage 64–73
12 Hurricane Widespread structural damage above 74