Beaufort scale Named after the 19th-century British naval officer who devised it, the Beaufort Scale assesses wind speed according to its effects. Originally designed in 1806 as an aid for sailors, it has since been adapted for use on land and was internationally recognised in 1874.

Beaufort scale Scale of values, from 0 to 12, for describing wind strength, as defined by Admiral Beaufort in the nineteenth century. Each wind force is recognized by its common effects on objects in the landscape (dust, flags, trees, etc.) and on people in the open, or on the state of the sea surface. See also SAFFIR/SIMPSON SCALE; and FUJITA TORNADO INTENSITY SCALE.

Beaufort scale A scale of values, from 0 to 12, for describing wind strength, as defined by Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort (1774–1857) in 1806 (the scale was accepted by the British Admiralty in 1838 and adopted by the International Meteorological Committee in 1874). Each wind force is recognized by its common effects on objects in the landscape (dust, flags, trees, etc.) and on people in the open, or on the state of the sea surface.

Beau·fort scale / ˈbōfərt/ a scale of wind speed based on a visual estimation of the wind's effects, ranging from force 0 (less than 1 knot or 1 kph, “calm”) to force 12 (64 knots or 118 kph and above, “hurricane”).