Glossary · Weather & oceans
Beaufort scale
Also called: Échelle de Beaufort, Beaufort, force, force 7, Bf
A scale from 0 to 12 that grades wind strength by its effect on the sea.
The Beaufort scale runs from calm (force 0) to hurricane (force 12). Force 7 is a near gale (28 to 33 knots), force 8 a gale, force 10 a storm. Marine forecasts still use it, while racers mostly think directly in knots.
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No source yet · updated 30 Sept 2026