| 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 eveywhere. 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 in 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 |
