Weather

Quick Quiz

Beaufort: Force 8

Mean wind speed (knots): 37Limit of wind speed (knots): 34 - 40Description: GaleSea State: Very Rough - High

Beaufort: Force 10

Mean wind speed (knots): 52Limit of wind speed (knots): 48 - 55Description: StormSea State: Very High

Beaufort: Force 12

Mean wind speed (knots): N/ALimit of wind speed (knots): Greater than 64Description: HurricaneSea State: Phenomenal

Note: this use of the word “Hurricane” does not have the same meaning as its use in terms of a tropical storm

Beaufort: Force 1

Mean wind speed (knots): 2Limit of wind speed (knots): 1 - 3Description: Light AirSea State: Calm (rippled)

Beaufort: Force 6

Mean wind speed (knots): 24Limit of wind speed (knots): 22 - 27Description: Strong BreezeSea State: Rough

Rapidly

This term describes a weather system that is moving:“at 35 to 45 knots”

Very High

This is the term used to describe a wave height:“9.0 to 14.0m”

Sea Fog

A type of advection fog formed when air that has been lying over a warm water surface is transported over a colder water surface

This results in cooling of the lower layer of air below its dewpoint

Rapidly

This term describes a weather system that is moving:“at 35 to 45 knots”

Veering

The changing of the wind direction clockwise

Very Poor

This term describes visibility of:

“less than 1000 metres”

Backing

The changing of the wind in the opposite direction to veering (anticlockwise)

Very High

This is the term used to describe a wave height:“9.0 to 14.0m”

Smooth

This is the term used to describe a wave height:“less than 0.5m”

Gale Warnings

Are issued as required throughout the day (for winds of Gale Force 8 or more)

These are displayed with the Shipping forecast

Soon

This weather changes is:“Expected within six to 12 hours of time of issue ”

Moderate

This term describes visibility of:“between 2 and 5 Nm”

Rough

This is the term used to describe a wave height:“2.5 to 4.0m”

Later

This weather changes is:“Expected more than 12 hours from time of issue ”

Beaufort: Force 11

Mean wind speed (knots): 60Limit of wind speed (knots): 56 - 63Description: Violent StormSea State: Very High

Strong Wind Warnings

Are issued as required throughout the day (for winds of Strong Breeze force 6 or more)

These are displayed with the Inshore waters forecast

Rising (or falling) quickly

Pressure change of 3.6 to 6.0mb in the preceding three hours

Slowly

This term describes a weather system that is moving:“at less than 15 knots”

Beaufort: Force 9

Mean wind speed (knots): 44Limit of wind speed (knots): 41 - 47Description: Severe GaleSea State: High

Beaufort: Force 9

Mean wind speed (knots): 44Limit of wind speed (knots): 41 - 47Description: Severe GaleSea State: High

Soon

This weather changes is:“Expected within six to 12 hours of time of issue ”

Beaufort: Force 2

Mean wind speed (knots): 5Limit of wind speed (knots): 4 - 6 Description: Light BreezeSea State: Smooth (wavelets)

Phenomenal

This is the term used to describe a wave height:“greater than 14.0m”

Beaufort: Force 7

Mean wind speed (knots): 30Limit of wind speed (knots): 28 - 33Description: Near GaleSea State: Rough-Very Rough

Beaufort: Force 2

Mean wind speed (knots): 5Limit of wind speed (knots): 4 - 6 Description: Light BreezeSea State: Smooth (wavelets)

Beaufort: Force 3

Mean wind speed (knots): 9Limit of wind speed (knots): 7 - 10 Description: Gentle BreezeSea State: Slight

Good

This term describes visibility of:“more than 5 Nm”

Slight

This is the term used to describe a wave height:“0.5 to 1.25m”

Very Poor

This term describes visibility of:

“less than 1000 metres”

Beaufort: Force 8

Mean wind speed (knots): 37Limit of wind speed (knots): 34 - 40Description: GaleSea State: Very Rough - High

Rising (or falling) very rapidly

Pressure change of more than 6.0mb in the preceding three hours

Beaufort: Force 3

Mean wind speed (knots): 9Limit of wind speed (knots): 7 - 10 Description: Gentle BreezeSea State: Slight

Poor

This term describes visibility of:“between 1000 metres and 2 Nm”

Moderate

This term describes visibility of:“between 2 and 5 Nm”

Steadily

This term describes a weather system that is moving:“at 15 to 25 knots”

Gale Warnings

Are issued as required throughout the day (for winds of Gale Force 8 or more)

These are displayed with the Shipping forecast

Good

This term describes visibility of:“more than 5 Nm”

Beaufort: Force 11

Mean wind speed (knots): 60Limit of wind speed (knots): 56 - 63Description: Violent StormSea State: Very High

Beaufort: Force 12

Mean wind speed (knots): N/ALimit of wind speed (knots): Greater than 64Description: HurricaneSea State: Phenomenal

Note: this use of the word “Hurricane” does not have the same meaning as its use in terms of a tropical storm

Rising (or falling)

Pressure change of 1.6 to 3.5mb in the preceding three hours

Moderate

This is the term used to describe a wave height:“1.25 to 2.5m”

Rising (or falling) quickly

Pressure change of 3.6 to 6.0mb in the preceding three hours

Slowly

This term describes a weather system that is moving:“at less than 15 knots”

High

This is the term used to describe a wave height:“6.0 to 9.0m”

Later

This weather changes is:“Expected more than 12 hours from time of issue ”

Very Rapidly

This term describes a weather system that is moving:“at more than 45 knots”

Steadily

This term describes a weather system that is moving:“at 15 to 25 knots”

Imminent

This weather changes is:

“Expected within six hours of time of issue”

Very Rough

This is the term used to describe a wave height:“4.0 to 6.0m”

Veering

The changing of the wind direction clockwise

Rising (or falling)

Pressure change of 1.6 to 3.5mb in the preceding three hours

Poor

This term describes visibility of:“between 1000 metres and 2 Nm”

Imminent

This weather changes is:

“Expected within six hours of time of issue”

Beaufort: Force 1

Mean wind speed (knots): 2Limit of wind speed (knots): 1 - 3Description: Light AirSea State: Calm (rippled)

Very Rapidly

This term describes a weather system that is moving:“at more than 45 knots”

High

This is the term used to describe a wave height:“6.0 to 9.0m”

Very Rough

This is the term used to describe a wave height:“4.0 to 6.0m”

Beaufort: Force 4

Mean wind speed (knots): 13Limit of wind speed (knots): 11 - 16Description: Moderate breeze Sea State: Slight-Moderate

Beaufort: Force 6

Mean wind speed (knots): 24Limit of wind speed (knots): 22 - 27Description: Strong BreezeSea State: Rough

Strong Wind Warnings

Are issued as required throughout the day (for winds of Strong Breeze force 6 or more)

These are displayed with the Inshore waters forecast

Rather Quickly

This term describes a weather system that is moving:“at 25 to 35 knots”

Beaufort: Force 10

Mean wind speed (knots): 52Limit of wind speed (knots): 48 - 55Description: StormSea State: Very High

Beaufort: Force 0

Mean wind speed (knots): 0Limit of wind speed (knots): Less than 1Description: CalmSea State: Calm (glassy)

Rising (or falling) slowly

Pressure change of 0.1 to 1.5mb in the preceding three hours

Beaufort: Force 7

Mean wind speed (knots): 30Limit of wind speed (knots): 28 - 33Description: Near GaleSea State: Rough-Very Rough

Beaufort: Force 4

Mean wind speed (knots): 13Limit of wind speed (knots): 11 - 16Description: Moderate breeze Sea State: Slight-Moderate

Rather Quickly

This term describes a weather system that is moving:“at 25 to 35 knots”

Smooth

This is the term used to describe a wave height:“less than 0.5m”

Slight

This is the term used to describe a wave height:“0.5 to 1.25m”

Moderate

This is the term used to describe a wave height:“1.25 to 2.5m”

Beaufort: Force 5

Mean wind speed (knots): 19Limit of wind speed (knots): 17 - 21Description: Fresh BreezeSea State: Moderate

Beaufort: Force 0

Mean wind speed (knots): 0Limit of wind speed (knots): Less than 1Description: CalmSea State: Calm (glassy)

Rough

This is the term used to describe a wave height:“2.5 to 4.0m”

Phenomenal

This is the term used to describe a wave height:“greater than 14.0m”

Sea Fog

A type of advection fog formed when air that has been lying over a warm water surface is transported over a colder water surface

This results in cooling of the lower layer of air below its dewpoint

Rising (or falling) slowly

Pressure change of 0.1 to 1.5mb in the preceding three hours

Rising (or falling) very rapidly

Pressure change of more than 6.0mb in the preceding three hours

Beaufort: Force 5

Mean wind speed (knots): 19Limit of wind speed (knots): 17 - 21Description: Fresh BreezeSea State: Moderate

Backing

The changing of the wind in the opposite direction to veering (anticlockwise)