...the best docks afloat.

HDPE
The ultimate durable floating docks


Dock Hardware and Accessories

Beaufort Scale

Decking options -  Western Red Cedar / Composite / Pressure Treated

888-687-9490

Beaufort Scale

A system of estimating and reporting wind speed devised by British Rear-Admiral, Sir Francis Beaufort (1774-1857) in 1805

Beaufort number Wind speed Mean wind speed (kt / km/h / mph) Description Wave height Sea conditions Land conditions
kt km/h mph m ft
0 0 0 0 0 / 0 / 0 Calm 0 0 Flat. Calm. Smoke rises vertically.
1 1-3 1-6 1-3 2 / 4 / 2 Light air 0.1 0.33 Ripples without crests. Wind motion visible in smoke.
2 4-6 7-11 4-7 5 / 9 / 6 Light breeze 0.2 0.66 Small wavelets. Crests of glassy appearance, not breaking Wind felt on exposed skin. Leaves rustle.
3 7-10 12-19 8-12 9 / 17 / 11 Gentle breeze 0.6 2 Large wavelets. Crests begin to break; scattered whitecaps Leaves and smaller twigs in constant motion.
4 11-15 20-29 13-18 13 / 24 / 15 Moderate breeze 1 3.3 Small waves. Dust and loose paper raised. Small branches begin to move.
5 16-21 30-39 19-24 19 / 35 / 22 Fresh breeze 2 6.6 Moderate (1.2 m) longer waves. Some foam and spray. Smaller trees sway.
6 22-27 40-50 25-31 24 / 44 / 27 Strong breeze 3 9.9 Large waves with foam crests and some spray. Large branches in motion. Whistling heard in overhead wires. Umbrella use becomes difficult.
7 28-33 51-62 32-38 30 / 56 / 35 Near gale 4 13.1 Sea heaps up and foam begins to streak. Whole trees in motion. Effort needed to walk against the wind.
8 34-40 63-75 39-46 37 / 68 / 42 Gale 5.5 18 Moderately high waves with breaking crests forming spindrift. Streaks of foam. Twigs broken from trees. Cars veer on road.
9 41-47 76-87 47-54 44 / 81 / 50 Severe gale 7 23 High waves (6-7 m) with dense foam. Wave crests start to roll over. Considerable spray. Light structure damage.
10 48-55 88-102 55-63 52 / 96 / 60 Storm 9 29.5 Very high waves. The sea surface is white and there is considerable tumbling. Visibility is reduced. Trees uprooted. Considerable structural damage.
11 56-63 103-119 64-73 60 / 112 / 70 Violent storm 11.5 37.7 Exceptionally high waves. Widespread structural damage.
12 64-80 120 74-95 73 / 148 / 90 Hurricane 14+ 46+ Huge waves. Air filled with foam and spray. Sea completely white with driving spray. Visibility greatly reduced. Considerable and widespread damage to structures.

Note that wave heights in the scale are for conditions in the open ocean, not along shore.