Tag Archives: estimate

The Wind Was Blowing at 25 MPH…

There are lots of reports surfacing on Social Media that include pictures of sports hoisting up a fish for the camera that make claims of success in extremely high winds.  A lot of the time, its just not rooted in fact.  Thats not to say the guide or angler making the post is overtly being deceptive in their claims of success in less than desirable conditions, more often than not, its simply an inability to accurately estimate wind speeds on the water.

The next time you are on the water,  you might find the following chart to be of use as an aid to better estimate the conditions you’re experiencing.  Make note of your estimate and the time and check it against the hourly wind data at the closest airport weather station on the National Weather Service’s website.  You’ll be surprised at first, but over time you’ll become very accurate.

Guide To Estimating Wind Speed Over Land & Water

Terms used by US
Weather Service
Velocity (mph) Estimating Velocities
on land
Estimating Velocities
on Sea
Calm less than 1 Smoke rises vertically Sea like a mirror Check your glassy
water technique before
water flying under
these conditions
Light air 1 – 3 Smoke drifts; wind
vanes unmoved
Ripples with the
appearance of scales
are formed but without
foam crests
Light breeze 4 – 7 Wind felt on face;
leaves rustle; ordinary
wind vane moves by
wind
Small wavelets, still
short but more pronounced;
crests have a
glassy appearance and
do not break
Large wavelets; crests
Gentle Breeze 8 – 12 Leaves and small
twigs in constant
motion; wind extends
light flag
Large wavelets; crests
begin to break. Foam
of glassy appearance,
perhaps scattered
whitecaps
Ideal water flying
characteristics in protected
water
Moderate Breeze 13 – 18 Dust and loose paper
raised; small branches
are moved
Small waves, becoming
longer; fairly frequent
whitecaps
Fresh Breeze 19 – 24 Small trees in leaf
begin to sway; crested
wavelets form in
inland water
Moderate waves; taking
a more pronounced
long form; many
whitecaps are formed,
chance of some spray
This is considered
rough water for seaplanes
and small
amphibians, especially
in open water
Strong Breeze 25 – 31 Large branches in
motion; whistling
heard in telegraph
wires; umbrellas used
with difficulty
Large waves begin to
form; white foam
crests are more extensive
everywhere, probably
some spray
Moderate Gale 32 – 38 Whole trees in motion;
inconvenience felt in
walking against the
wind
Sea heaps up and white
foam from breaking
waves begins to be
blown in streaks along
the direction of the
wind
This type of water condition
is for emergency
only in small aircraft in
inland waters and for
the expert pilot