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What is the Beaufort Scale?

The Beaufort scale is a handy device for estimating wind speed. It was devised in 1805 by a British Admiral, Sir Francis Beaufort (1774-1857). Beaufort's intention was to create a standard method of assessing wind speed, based on sailors' descriptions of the wind's effect on the water. In 1926 the scale was modified so it could also be used on land.

The Beaufort Scale designates numbers from 0 to 17 to indicate wind speeds, as shown in the table below.

Beaufort Wind Scale

Wind speed (mph)	Beaufort Number	Wind Effect on Land	Official Description
Less than 1	0	Calm; smoke rises vertically.	CALM
1-3	1	Wind direction is seen in direction of smoke, but is not revealed by...

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