Kites by Windsong Kites, South Africa

Windspeed conversion table

Bft

MPH

km/h

Knots

Name

Description

<0.54

Calm

Sea: Like a mirror
Near Land: Calm
On land: Smoke rises vertically
Kiters: Grrrr...

1-3

1-5

0.54-2.97

Light air

Sea: Ripples with appearance of scales no foam crests
Near Land: Small sailboat just has steerage way
On land: Smoke drift indicates wind direction vanes do not move

4-7

6-11

2.97-6.21

Light

Sea: Small wavelets crests of glassy Breeze appearance, not breaking
Near Land: Winds fill the sails of small boats which then travel at 1 - 2 knots
On land: Wind felt on face; leaves rustle vanes begin to move

8-12

12-19

6.21-10.53

Gentle

Sea: Large wavelets; crests begin to break, Breeze scattered whitecaps
Near Land : Sailboats begin to heel and travel at about 3-4 knots
On land : Leaves, small twigs in constant motion; light flags extended

13-18

20-28

10.53-15.39

Moderate

Sea: Small waves 0.5 - 1.25 meters high, Breeze becoming longer; numerous whitecaps
Near Land : Good working breeze, sailboats carry all sails with good heel
On land : Dust, leaves, and loose paper raised up; small branches move

19-24

29-38

15.39-20.79

Fresh

Sea: Moderate waves of 1.25 - 2.5 m. Breeze taking longer form; many whitecaps; some spray
Near Land: Sailboarts shorten sail
On land: Small trees in leaf begin to sway
Kiters: Probably too much wind for most people

25-31

39-49

20.79-26.73

Strong

Sea: Larger waves 2.5 - 4 meters forming; Breeze whitecaps everywhere, more spray
Near Land: Sailboats have double-reefed mailsails
On land: Larger branches of trees in motion; whistling heard in wires
Kiters: Not for the weak of heart.

32-38

50-61

26.73-33.21

Near gale

Sea: Sea heaps up, waves 4 - 6 m; Gale white foam from breaking waves begins to be blown in streaks
Near Land: Boats remain in harbor; those at sea heave-to
On land: Whole trees in motion; resistance felt in walking against wind

39-46

62-74

33.21-40.23

Gale

Sea: Moderately high (4 - 6 m) waves of greater length; edges of crests begin to break into spindrift; foam is blown in well-marked streaks
Near Land: All boats make for harbor, if near
On land: Twigs and small branches broken off trees; progress generally impaired
Kiters: Probably shouldn't be out

47-54

75-88

40.23-47.79

Strong gale

Sea: High waves (6 m); sea begins Gale to roll; dense streaks of foam; spray may reduce visibility
On land : Slight structural damage occurs; slate blown from roofs
Kiters : Get off the beach and take cover.

55-63

89-102

47.79-55.35

Storm

Sea: Very high waves (6 - 9 m) with overhanging crests; sea takes a white appearance as foam is blown in very dense streaks; rolling is heavy and visibility is reduced
On land: Seldom experienced on land; Trees broken or uprooted; considerable damage occurs

64-72

102-117

55.35-63.44

Violent storm

Sea: Exceptionally high (9-14 m) waves; Storm sea covered with white foam patches; visibility still more reduced
On land: Very rarely experienced on land; usually accompanied by widespread damage

73+

118+

63.44+

Hurricane

Sea: Air filled with foam; waves over 14 meters; sea completly white with driving spray; visibility greatly reduced
Kiters : Perfect time to try out that new stack of Flexis. :-)

Contact Greg or Jacqui Mountjoy:
Phone numbers: Retail: 039 3157846, Factory: 039 3130101, Cell: 0825524661, Fax: 039 3157846. International dialling code: +27
Email:kites@windsongkites.co.za, Snailmail: P O Box 52, Ramsgate, 4285, South Africa
Designed and maintained by Writeathome Creative Projects
Copyright Windsong Kites 2001. No photographs, text, designs or graphics may be reproduced in any way - either print or electronically - without permission from Windsong Kites. The copyright of all HTML templates and graphics used in the construction of these pages belongs to Writeathome Creative Projects, and may not be used or copied without permission.