Beaufort scale for visual assessment of wind force.

Accepted for use in international synoptic practice. It originally did not include wind speed (added in 1926). In 1955, to distinguish between hurricane winds different strengths, The US Weather Bureau expanded the scale to 17 points.

It is worth noting that the wave heights in the scale are given for the open ocean, not the coastal zone.

see also

Links

• Description of the Beaufort scale with photographs of the state of the sea surface.

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

• Baikal (spaceship)
• Nonmetals

See what the “Beaufort Scale” is in other dictionaries:

BEAUFORT SCALE- (Beaufort scale) in early XIX V. English Admiral Beaufort proposed to determine the strength of the wind by the windage that the ship itself or others could carry at the moment of observation. sailing ships in its visibility, and evaluate this force with scale points, ... ... Marine Dictionary

Beaufort scale- conditional scale for visual assessment the strength (speed) of the wind, based on its effect on ground objects or on the water surface. Used primarily for ship observations. Has 12 points: 0 calm (0 0.2 m/s), 4 moderate... ... Dictionary of emergency situations

Beaufort scale- A scale for determining wind strength, based on a visual assessment of the state of the sea, expressed in points from 0 to 12 ... Dictionary of Geography

Beaufort scale- 3.33 Beaufort scale: A twelve-point scale adopted by the World Meteorological Organization to approximate wind speed by its effect on objects on land or by waves on the high seas. Source … Dictionary-reference book of terms of normative and technical documentation

Beaufort scale- a scale for determining wind strength by visual assessment, based on the effect of wind on the state of the sea or on land objects (trees, buildings, etc.). Used primarily for observations from sea vessels. Adopted in 1963 by the World... ... Geographical encyclopedia

A conventional scale in points in the form of a table for expressing the speed (strength) of the wind by its effect on ground objects, by rough seas and the ability of the wind to propel sailing ships. The scale was proposed in 1805-1806. British Admiral F. ... ... Dictionary of winds

BEAUFORT SCALE- wind force assessment system. Proposed by the English hydrographer F. Beaufort in 1806. It is based on the visual perception of the effect of wind on the water surface, smoke, flags, ship superstructures, on the shore, and structures. The assessment is made in points... ... Marine encyclopedic reference book

Beaufort scale- a conventional scale in points from 0 to 12 for a visual assessment of the strength (speed) of the wind in points based on roughness at sea or on the effect of ground objects: 0 points (no wind 0 0.2 m/s); 4 moderate wind(5.5 7.9 m/s); 6 strong wind(10.8 13.8 m/s); 9… … Glossary of military terms

BEAUFORT SCALE- In damage management: a conventional scale for visually assessing and recording wind strength (speed) in points or sea waves. It was developed and proposed by the English admiral Francis Beaufort in 1806. Since 1874 it has been adopted for use in... ... Insurance and risk management. Terminological dictionary

Beaufort scale- The Beaufort scale is a twelve-point scale adopted by the World Meteorological Organization to approximate wind speed by its effect on land objects or by waves on the high seas. Average wind speed is indicated on... ... Wikipedia

Wind speed can be assessed visually by its effect on objects surrounding the observer. In 1805 Francis Beaufort(Francis Beaufort), a sailor of the British Navy, developed a 12-point scale to characterize the strength of the wind at sea. allows you to estimate wind speed without using any instruments. In 1926, land wind speed estimates were added to this scale. To distinguish between hurricane-force winds of different strengths, the US Weather Bureau expanded the scale to 17 in 1955.

Today, the 12-point scale is adopted by the World Meteorological Organization for an approximate estimate of wind speed by its effect on ground objects or by waves in the open sea. Average wind speed is indicated at a standard height of 10 meters above an open, level surface. Sea roughness is also characterized by points, but different; the anxiety scale has nine points. The table below compares wave scores with wind scores. The wave parameters are given for open waters; in the coastal zone the waves are less.

Beaufort scale table

In 1963, the World Meteorological Organization clarified Beaufort scale and it was adopted to approximate the speed of wind from its effect on objects on land or from waves on the open sea. Average wind speed is indicated at a standard height of 10 meters above an open, level surface.

The smoke (from the captain's pipe) rises vertically, the leaves of the trees are motionless. Mirror smooth sea.

Wind 0 - 0.2m/s

The smoke deviates from the vertical direction, there are slight ripples in the sea, there is no foam on the ridges. Wave height up to 0.1 m.

You can feel the wind on your face, the leaves rustle, the weather vane begins to move, and there are short waves at sea with a maximum height of up to 0.3 m.

Wind 1.6 - 3.3 m/s.

The leaves and thin branches of the trees are swaying, light flags are swaying, there is a slight disturbance on the water, and occasionally small whitecaps form.

Average wave height 0.6 m. Wind 3.4 - 5.4 m/s.

The wind raises dust and pieces of paper; Thin tree branches are swaying, whitecaps on the sea are visible in many places.

Maximum wave height up to 1.5 m. Wind 5.5 - 7.9 m/s.

Branches and thin tree trunks sway, you can feel the wind with your hand, white lambs are visible everywhere.

Maximum wave height 2.5 m, average - 2 m. Wind 8.0 - 10.7 m/s.

In this weather we tried to leave Baltic Sea from Darlowo. (Poland) against the wave. In 30 minutes only approx. 10km. and got very wet from the splashes. We were returning along the way - very good. funny.

Thick tree branches sway, thin trees bend, telephone wires hum, umbrellas are difficult to use; white foamy ridges occupy large areas, and water dust is formed. The maximum wave height is up to 4m, the average is 3m. Wind 10.8 - 13.8 m/s.

We encountered this kind of weather on boats in front of Rostock. The navigator was afraid to look around, the most valuable things were stuffed into his pockets, the walkie-talkie was tied to his vest. The splashes from the side waves constantly covered us. For a vodka-motor fleet, not to mention a simple motorboat, this is probably the maximum...

Tree trunks sway, large branches bend, it is difficult to walk against the wind, wave crests are torn off by the wind. The maximum wave height is up to 5.5 m. wind 13.9 - 17.1 m/s.

Thin and dry branches of trees break, it is impossible to speak in the wind, it is very difficult to walk against the wind. Strong seas.

Maximum wave height is up to 7.5 m, average - 5.5 m. Wind 17.2 - 20.7 m/s.

Bend big trees, the wind tears tiles from the roofs, very rough seas, high waves. It is observed very rarely. Accompanied by destruction over large areas. The sea has exceptionally high waves (maximum height - up to 16m, average - 11.5m), small vessels are sometimes hidden from view.

Wind 28.5 - 32.6 m/s. Fierce storm.

The sea is all covered with stripes of foam. The air is filled with foam and spray. Visibility is very poor. Complete f...c for small vessels, yachts and other ships - it’s better not to hit them.

Wind 32.7 m/s or more...

Beaufort scale- a conventional scale for visually assessing the strength (speed) of the wind in points based on its effect on ground objects or on sea waves. It was developed by the English admiral F. Beaufort in 1806 and at first was used only by him. In 1874, the Standing Committee of the First Meteorological Congress adopted the Beaufort scale for use in international synoptic practice. In subsequent years, the scale was changed and refined. The Beaufort scale is widely used in maritime navigation.

Each a natural phenomenon, having different degrees severity is usually assessed in accordance with certain criteria. Especially if information about it must be transmitted quickly and accurately. For wind strength, the Beaufort scale has become a common international reference point.

Developed by the British rear admiral, a native of Ireland, Francis Beaufort (accent is on the second syllable) in 1806, the system, improved in 1926 by adding information about the equivalence of wind strength in points to its specific speed, allows you to fully and accurately characterize a given atmospheric process, remaining relevant to this day.

What is wind?

Wind is called movement air masses parallel to the surface of the planet (horizontally above it). This mechanism is caused by pressure differences. The direction of movement always comes from a higher area.

The following characteristics are commonly used to describe wind:

• speed (measured in meters per second, kilometers per hour, knots and points);
• wind force (in points and m.s. - meters per second, the ratio is approximately 1:2);
• direction (according to the cardinal points).

The first two parameters are closely related. They can be mutually designated by each other's units of measurement.

The direction of the wind is determined by the side of the world from which the movement began (from the north - north wind, etc.). The speed is determined by the pressure gradient.

Pressure gradient (otherwise known as barometric gradient) - change atmospheric pressure per unit distance normal to a surface of equal pressure (isobaric surface) in the direction of decreasing pressure. In meteorology, they usually use the horizontal barometric gradient, that is, its horizontal component (Great Soviet Encyclopedia).

Wind speed and strength cannot be separated. A large difference in indicators between atmospheric pressure zones gives rise to strong and rapid movement of air masses above the earth's surface.

Features of wind measurement

In order to correctly correlate the data of meteorological services with your real position or make a correct measurement, you need to know which standard conditions used by professionals.

• Wind force and speed are measured at a ten-meter height on an open, flat surface.
• The name of the direction of the wind is given by the cardinal direction from which it blows.

Water transport managers, as well as those who like to spend time in nature, often purchase anemometers, which determine speed, which is easily correlated with wind force in points. There are waterproof models. For convenience, devices of various compactness are produced.

In the Beaufort system, a description of wave heights associated with a certain wind force in points is given for open sea space. It will be significantly less in shallow waters and coastal areas.

From personal to global use

Sir Francis Beaufort not only had a high military rank in the navy, but was also a successful practical scientist who held important positions, a hydrographer and cartographer who brought great benefit to the country and the world. One of the seas in the North bears his name. Arctic Ocean, washing Canada and Alaska. An Antarctic island is named after Beaufort.

A convenient system for assessing wind strength in points, accessible to all precise definition manifestation of the phenomenon “by eye”, Francis Beaufort created for his own use in 1805. The scale ranged from 0 to 12 points.

In 1838, a system of visual assessment of weather and wind force in points became officially used by the British fleet. In 1874 it was adopted by the international synoptic community.

In the 20th century, several more improvements were made to the Beaufort scale - the ratio of points and verbal description of the manifestation of the elements with wind speed (1926), and five more divisions were added - points for grading the strength of hurricanes (USA, 1955).

Criteria for estimating wind force in Beaufort points

IN modern form The Beaufort scale has several characteristics that make it possible to most accurately correlate a specific atmospheric phenomenon with his indicators in points.

• Firstly, this is verbal information. Verbal description weather.
• Average speed in meters per second, kilometers per hour and knots.
• The impact of moving air masses on characteristic objects on land and sea is determined by typical manifestations.

Harmless wind

Safe wind is determined in the range from 0 to 4 points.

A wind of 5 points, characterized as “fresh”, or fresh breeze, can be called borderline. Its speed ranges from 8 to 10.7 meters per second (29-38 km/h, or 17 to 21 knots). Thin trees sway along with their trunks. Waves rise up to 2.5 (on average two) meters. Sometimes splashes appear.

The wind that brings trouble

With a wind force of 6, strong phenomena begin that can cause damage to health and property.

Dangerous wind force

Winds with a force of ten to twelve are dangerous and are characterized as a strong and violent storm, as well as a hurricane.

The wind uproots trees, damages buildings, destroys vegetation, and destroys buildings. The waves emit deafening noise from 9 meters and above, and are long. At sea, they reach dangerous heights even for large ships - from nine meters and above. Foam covers the water surface, visibility is zero or close to this.

The speed of movement of air masses ranges from 24.5 meters per second (89 km/h) and reaches from 118 kilometers per hour with a wind force of 12 points. Severe storms and hurricanes (winds equal to 11 and 12 points) occur very rarely.

Additional five points to the classic Beaufort scale

Since hurricanes are also not identical in intensity and degree of damage, in 1955 the United States Weather Bureau adopted an addition to the standard Beaufort classification in the form of five scale units. Wind strength from 13 to 17 points inclusive - these are clarifying characteristics for destructive hurricane winds and accompanying phenomena environment.

How to protect yourself when disaster strikes?

If a storm warning from the Ministry of Emergency Situations occurs in an open area, it is better to follow the advice and reduce the risk of accidents.

First of all, you should pay attention to warnings every time - there is no guarantee that atmospheric front will come to the area where you are, but you also cannot be sure that he will once again bypass it. All items should be removed or securely secured to protect pets.

If a strong wind hits a fragile structure - a garden house or other light structures - it is better to close the windows on the side of the air movement and, if necessary, strengthen them with shutters or boards. From the leeward side, on the contrary, open it slightly and fix it in this position. This will eliminate the danger of an explosive effect from the pressure difference.

It is important to remember that any strong wind can bring with it unwanted precipitation - in winter there are snowstorms and blizzards, in summer there may be dust and sandstorms. It should also be taken into account that strong winds can occur even in absolutely clear weather.