Large wavelets, crests start to break, some whitecaps. Moderate Breeze Small branches move, raises dust, leaves and paper. Small waves develop, becoming longer, whitecaps. Larger waves form, whitecaps prevalent, spray. Moderate or Near Gale Large trees sway, becoming difficult to walk.
Larger waves develop, white foam from breaking waves begins to be blown.
34-40 knots Gale or Fresh Gale Twigs and small branches are broken from trees, walking is difficult. Moderately large waves with blown foam. Strong Gale Slight damage occurs to buildings, shingles are blown off of roofs. Large waves over 14 meters, air filled with foam, sea white with foam and driving spray, little visibility. The descriptive scale mariners and meteorologists use to describe the speed of the wind was first standardised by an Irishman in the British Royal Navy, Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort.