The Force 12 Name and Logo

The name Force 12 originated as a wind classification on the Beaufort Scale. The Beaufort Scale is a system for estimating wind strengths without the use of instruments, based on the effects wind has on the physical environment. The behavior of smoke, waves, trees, etc., is rated on a 13 point scale of  0 (calm) to 12 (hurricane). The scale was devised in 1805 by British naval Commander, later Admiral, Sir Francis Beaufort (1774-1875). The Beaufort Scale is used as a way of estimating wind speeds, especially when anemometers are not available.

A series of flags are flown at prominent locations such as Coast Guard stations, lighthouses and marinas to communicate the severity of the wind force. The two red square flags with black center boxes in the logo indicates hurricane force winds.

Beaufort

Number	Wind Speed	Description
0	Under 1	Calm - Sea is like a mirror
1	1-3	Light air - Ripples with the appearance of scales; no foam crests
2	4-7	Light breeze - Small wavelets; crests of glassy appearance, not breaking
3	8-12	Gentle breeze - Large wavelets; crests begin to break; scattered whitecaps
4	13-18	Moderate breeze - Small waves, becoming longer; numerous whitecaps
5	19-24	Fresh breeze - Moderate waves, taking longer to form; whitecaps; some spray
6	25-31	Strong breeze - Larger waves forming; whitecaps everywhere; more spray
7	32-38	Near gale - Sea heaps up; white foam from breaking waves is blown in streaks
8	39-46	Gale - Moderately high waves of greater length; crests begin to break; foam is blown in well-marked streaks
9	47-54	Strong gale - High waves; sea begins to roll; dense streaks of foam; spray may begin to reduce visibility
10	55-63	Storm - Very high waves with overhanging crests; sea takes white appearance as foam is blown in very dense streaks; rolling is heavy and visibility is reduced
11	64-72	Violent storm - Exceptionally high waves; sea covered with white foam patches; visibility further reduced
12	73+	Hurricane - Air filled with foam; sea completely white with driving spray; visibility greatly reduced

 

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