THE STRENGTH OF THE WIND (Intermediate) (EXERCISE I102E291)

The international scale used to describe the strength of the wind was devised by Sir Francis Beaufort, a British admiral of the time of Nelson, and is known as the Beaufort scale. It rates wind from calm to hurricane.

Read the descriptions (not in order of strength) of the categories of wind and their effects on the land. Rate them on the Beaufort scale: 1-12.

	Character of wind	Effects of wind inland	Scale
(A)	Gale	Twigs broken from trees, movement in open difficult.
(B)	Light Air	Calm, smoke rises vertically.
(C)	Gentle Breeze	Leaves and thin twigs move, pennants extend fully.
(D)	Strong Breeze	Thicker branches move, whistling in telephone lines, umbrellas difficult to use.
(E)	Light Breeze	Wind felt on face, leaves whisper, flags move.
(F)	Storm	Trees uprooted, major damage to houses.
(G)	Fresh Breeze	Small trees in leaf begin to sway, white horses on lakes.
(H)	Hurricane	Severe Destruction
(I)	Near Gale	Whole trees moving, resistance to movement against wind perceptible.
(J)	Violent Storm	Widespread damage.
(K)	Moderate Breeze	Paper and dust lifted, twigs and thin branches move.
(L)	Strong Gale	Minor damage to houses (awnings and T.V. aerials).

ANSWERS: THE STRENGTH OF THE WIND

	Character of wind	Effects of wind inland	Scale
(A)	Gale	Twigs broken from trees, movement in open difficult.	8
(B)	Light Air	Calm, smoke rises vertically.	1
(C)	Gentle Breeze	Leaves and thin twigs move, pennants extend fully.	3
(D)	Strong Breeze	Thicker branches move, whistling in telephones line, umbrellas difficult to use.	6
(E)	Light Breeze	Wind felt on face, leaves whisper, flags move.	2
(F)	Storm	Trees uprooted, major damage to houses.	10
(G)	Fresh Breeze	Small trees in leaf begin to sway, white horses on lakes.	5
(H)	Hurricane	Severe Destruction	12
(I)	Near Gale	Whole trees moving, resistance to movement against wind perceptible.	7
(J)	Violent Storm	Widespread damage.	11
(K)	Moderate Breeze	Paper and dust lifted, twigs and thin branches move.	4
(L)	Strong Gale	Minor damage to houses (awnings and T.V. aerials).	9

TO PRINT