| The beuforth Scale |
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How to read the wind….using, The Beau forth Scale On the Beaufort scale, wind speeds are divided into 12 categories, each of which describes the physical effect of the wind. 0: calm (< 1 km/h, < 1 knot) Sea like a mirror. Smoke rises vertically. No trainer kite action. 1: light air (1-5 km/h, 1-3 knots) Ripples with the appearance of scales, no foam crests. Expert kite flyer maybe able to keep kite in sky, may have to walk into wind. 2: light breeze (6-11 km/h, 4-6 knots) Small wavelets Crests do not break. Excellent for trainer kite practice flying kite in power zone. 3: gentle breeze (12-19 km/h, 7-10 knots) Large wavelets Crests begin to break scattered horses. Kite should be able to park at 12, 1 and 11. Expert rider maybe able to hit the water with big kite and board but may find it hard to stay up wind. 4: moderate breeze (20-28 km/h, 11-16 knots) Small waves becoming longer. Fairly frequent white horses. Perfect practice conditions kite should park at all numbers including 3 and 9-kite boarder staying upwind. All power strokes can be achieved easy. 5: fresh breeze (29-38 km/h, 17-21 knots) Moderate waves. Many white horses. Some spray. More wind is better, normal movement of kite to get power, water re- launching becomes easy. Perfect for all kite boarding activities. 6: strong breeze (39-49 km/h, 22-27 knots) Large waves. Extensive white foam crests. Spray. Smaller kites recommended practice under direct supervision of instructor, great for experience kiters… 7: near gale (50-61 km/h, 28-33 knots) Sea heaps up. White foam deigns to be blown in streaks. Experts or the insane only. Not for beginners or intermediates. Very small kites only parking can be achieved-wind starts to get gusty. 8: gale (62-74 km/h, 34-40 knots) Moderately high waves. Crests begin to break. DO NOT FLY! 9: strong gale (75-88 km/h, 41-47 knots) High waves. Dense streaks of foam. Crests begin to break. Tumbling sea. Surface mostly white. Visibility effected. Rarely experienced in most places. 10: storm (89-102 km/h, 48-55 knots) Very high waves Tumbling sea. Surface mostly white Visibility affected. 11: violent storm (103-117 km/h, 56-63 knots) Exceptionally high waves. Small and medium vessels sometimes lost to view. 12: cyclone/hurricane (118+km/h, 64+ knots) Air filled with foam and spray. Sea completely white. Visibility very seriously affected. |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 24 September 2008 ) |