The wind speeds are given on the twelve-part Beaufort scale. We explain the effects of the different wind speeds on land and at sea to you in detail.
- Wind speeds are defined in different divisions.
- The Beaufort scale is a wind force table.
- The wind is measured and evaluated in 13 stages.
Munich - The wind is measured. But how does it relate to speed? The wind force describes the effect of the wind and is often named in weather forecasts . You can also describe it like this: Sometimes a breeze gently blows around your ears and sometimes you are almost torn away by a hurricane . The meaning of the term seems to be clear to everyone, Merkur.de explains exactly how everything is categorized and what the Beaufort scale is all about.
Storm "Dennis" in Great Britain.
© dpa / Cameron Smith
Wind strengths and wind speed: this is how they are measured
The wind speed is expressed in kilometers per hour or meters per second (m / s), knots (kn) = nautical miles / hour (sm / h). You probably know the term wind strength from the weather forecast , where it is associated with a number - for example 2. The calculation is defined exactly on the Beaufort scale, also called the wind strength table.
Wind force table: The definition and division of the Beaufort scale
The number Beaufort is used in the nautical for the indication of the wind strength . In addition to the exact definition based on the wind speeds in km / h or m / s, you can also use a somewhat looser division. For example, Beaufort 1 stands for "light train" or a "calm, ruffled sea". Beaufort 4 is then referred to, for example, as a "moderate breeze" with surface-covering foam crowns.
Wind strength: Wind speeds can also be compared without measurements
Common names were assigned to the individual wind speeds, which are quite common in the media and also among the population. This means that wind speeds can be compared with each other without measurements .
Wind speeds: The Beaufort scale in a complete overview
Wind force | description | Metrics |
|---|---|---|
Wind force 0 is referred to as "calm" on the Beaufort scale. | Completely calm and smooth sea. There is no air movement on land, smoke rises vertically. | Wind force 0 corresponds to less than 1 km / h, 0-0.2 m / s or 0 kn. |
According to the Beaufort scale, wind force 1 is referred to as a "quiet train". | Calm to ruffled sea. There is slight air movement on land, smoke drifts off easily. Wind wings and wind vanes unmoving. | Wind force 1 corresponds to 1-5 km / h, 0.3-1.5 m / s or 1-3 kn. |
Wind force 2 is referred to as a "light breeze" on the Beaufort scale. | Small, short waves. On land you can hear the rustling of leaves and you can feel wind on your face. | Wind force 2 corresponds to 6-11 km / h, 1.6-3.3 m / s or 4-6 kn. |
Wind force 3 is referred to as a "gentle breeze" on the Beaufort scale. | Poorly moving sea, beginning of foaming. Leaves and thin branches move, pennants are stretched. | Wind force 3 corresponds to 12-19 km / h, 3.4-5.4 m / s or 7-10 kn. |
Wind force 4 is referred to as a "moderate breeze" on the Beaufort scale. | Slightly moving sea, small, longer waves, foam heads everywhere. Twigs are moving, loose paper is being lifted off the floor. | Wind force 4 corresponds to 20-28 km / h, 5.5-7.9 m / s or 11-16 kn. |
Wind force 5 is referred to as a "fresh breeze" on the Beaufort scale. | Moderately rough sea, moderate waves of great length, foam heads everywhere. Larger branches and trees move, wind is clearly audible. | Wind force 5 corresponds to 29-38 km / h, 8.0-10.7 m / s or 17-21 kn. |
Wind force 6 is referred to as "strong wind" on the Beaufort scale. | Rough seas, bigger waves with breaking heads, white foam spots everywhere. Thick branches move, audible whistling on wire ropes, in telephone lines. | Wind force 6 corresponds to 39-49 km / h, 10.8-13.8 m / s or 22-27 kn. |
Wind force 7 is called "stiff wind" on the Beaufort scale. | Very rough sea, white foam from the breaking wave heads lies in foam strips in the wind direction. Trees sway, resistance to walking against the wind. | Wind force 7 corresponds to 50-61 km / h, 13.9-17.1 m / s or 28-33 kn. |
Wind force 8 is referred to as the "stormy wind" on the Beaufort scale. | Moderately high seas, fairly high waves, the heads of which are blown, foam strips everywhere. Large trees are moved, shutters are opened, branches break from trees, considerable disability when walking. | Wind force 8 corresponds to 62-74 km / h, 17.2-20.7 m / s or 34-40 kn. |
Wind force 9 is referred to as "storm" on the Beaufort scale. | High waves with blowing spray, breakers begin to form. Breaking branches, minor damage to houses, bricks and smoke hoods are lifted from roofs, garden furniture is knocked over and blown away, considerable disability when walking. | Wind force 9 corresponds to 75-88 km / h, 20.8-24.4 m / s or 41-47 kn. |
Wind force 10 is referred to as a "severe storm" on the Beaufort scale. | Very high waves, white spots on the water, long, breaking ridges, heavy breakers. Trees are uprooted, tree trunks break, garden furniture is blown away, greater damage to houses; rarely inland. | Wind force 10 corresponds to 89-102 km / h, 24.5-28.4 m / s or 48-55 kn. |
Wind force 11 is referred to on the Beaufort scale as a "hurricane-like storm". | Heavy seas, roaring seas, water is blown away horizontally, severe reduction in visibility. Violent gusts, severe storm damage, severe damage to forests (wind break), roofs are covered, cars are thrown off track, thick walls are damaged, walking is impossible; very rarely inland. | Wind force 11 corresponds to 103-117 km / h, 28.5-32.6 m / s or 56-63 kn. |
Wind force 12 is called “hurricane” on the Beaufort scale. | Exceptionally heavy sea, lake completely white, air filled with foam and spray, no more view. Storm. Severe storm damage and devastation; very rarely inland | Wind force 12 corresponds to more than 117 km / h, more than 32.7 m / s or more than 64 kn. |
Rubric list image: © dpa / Robert F. Bukaty
