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Ancient Navigators' Secret Weapon: How Does the Beaufort Wind Scale Change Weather Observations?
On the sea, the safety and speed of ships often rely on accurate assessment of wind. A key innovation behind this is the Beaufort Wind Scale. This meteorological standard formulated by British naval officer Francis Beaufort in the early 19th century is still an important tool for modern meteorological observations. Over time, this standard has changed from being specific to navigation to being the basis for a wider range of meteorological observations, affecting forecast systems around the world.
History of the Beaufort Wind Scale
The origins of the Beaufort Wind Scale date back to the 18th century, when naval officials made meteorological observations while sailing, but due to the lack of uniform standards, the observations were often subjective and inconsistent. Beaufort's success lies in standardizing this process.
The Beaufort wind scale was originally used as a ship log standard for the Royal Navy and has subsequently been widely used in weather forecasts in many countries.
Beaufort began working on the scale in 1805 while serving on HMS Woolwich, and it was gradually refined in the 1830s. The Beaufort was first used on Captain Darwin's HMS Beagle expedition between 1831 and 1836, which laid the foundation for the subsequent development of meteorology.
Structure and application of Beaufort wind scale
The Beaufort Wind Scale originally consisted of 13 levels, ranging from Category 0 (calm) to Category 12 (hurricane). These ratings are based on how the sailboat handles in relation to sea conditions, describing the effect of the wind on the sail, rather than the wind speed itself. For example, a force 9 wind represents a "strong wind", while a force 10 wind represents a "wind that is difficult for ships to cope with."
"The introduction of the Beaufort Wind Scale not only changed navigation, but also profoundly affected our understanding and practice of weather forecasting."
As time progressed, especially with the holding of the Global Meteorological Conference in 1863, the application of the Beaufort Wind Scale was no longer limited to navigation. Its accuracy and operability have made it recognized by the meteorological community in various countries. For example, the British BBC broadcast will use the Beaufort wind scale in weather forecasts.
Modern applications of the Beaufort Wind Scale
The Beaufort Wind Scale now includes not only descriptions of conditions at sea but also extends to meteorological observations on land. This plays a huge role in weather forecasting and its impact on society. In the UK, Met Éireann will issue small ship warnings, strong wind warnings, etc. based on the Beaufort wind scale in weather warnings.
"The Beaufort Wind Scale has evolved from a simple navigational tool into a broad meteorological standard covering land and sea."
The widespread use of this scale has allowed meteorologists to make their predictions more precise, while wind speed measurements have become more objective.
Extended Beaufort Wind Scale
In 1946, the Beaufort wind scale was further expanded to levels 13 to 17. These levels are mainly used in special situations, such as tropical cyclones. Although the International Meteorological Organization currently only recognizes level 12, in some areas, such as Taiwan and mainland China, this extended version has been adopted to track typhoon activity.
The global impact of the Beaufort Wind Scale
Furthermore, the use of the Beaufort Wind Scale is not limited to English-speaking countries. This scale is also widely used in Germany, the Netherlands and other countries. This standardization not only improves the quality of weather forecasts, but also promotes international meteorological cooperation, allowing countries to better deal with extreme weather.
"The Beaufort Wind Scale is not only an innovation in meteorology, but also a basic guarantee for navigation and safety around the world."
Whether at sea or on land, the observation and prediction of wind is a vital task, and the continued application of the Beaufort Wind Scale makes this task more accurate and reliable. In the future, can we use this ancient standard to better understand the current phenomenon of climate change?
