Beaufort Wind Scale

The Beaufort wind scale describes the effect of the wind on the water, and is helpful to be familiar with sailing.   With awareness and knowledge of the look of wind on the water you'll be able to more quickly react to changing conditions and make needed sail adjustments.

If you've sailed a great deal this if really second nature, but it's always good to be reminded.  The basic point I remember is whitecaps are pretty predominant at @ 15mph...start watching and be ready to reef.  you want to be reefed at no more than 25 I'd think, and once the wind is a steady 25 you'll be getting gusts which will make reefing a bit more...lets say exciting....

here's the link I found this page;
http://www.marinewaypoints.com/marine/wind.shtml

Beaufort Wind Scale
Beaufort Number or Force	Wind Speed			Description	Effects Land / Sea
	mph	km/hr	knots
0	<1	<1	<1	Calm	Still, calm air, smoke will rise vertically.Water is mirror-like.
1	1-3 mph	1-5 kph	1-3 knots	Light Air	Rising smoke drifts, wind vane is inactive.Small ripples appear on water surface.
2	4-7 mph	6-11 kph	4-6 knots	Light Breeze	Leaves rustle, can feel wind on your face, wind vanes begin to move.Small wavelets develop, crests are glassy.
3	8-12 mph	12-19 kph	7-10 knots	Gentle Breeze	Leaves and small twigs move, light weight flags extend.Large wavelets, crests start to break, some whitecaps.
4	13-18 mph	20-28 kph	11-16 knots	Moderate Breeze	Small branches move, raises dust, leaves and paper.Small waves develop, becoming longer, whitecaps.
5	19-24 mph	29-38 kph	17-21 knots	Fresh Breeze	Small trees sway.White crested wavelets (whitecaps) form, some spray.
6	25-31 mph	39-49 kph	22-27 knots	Strong Breeze	Large tree branches move,  telephone wires begin to "whistle", umbrellas are difficult to keep under control.Larger waves form, whitecaps prevalent, spray.
7	32-38 mph	50-61 kph	28-33 knots	Moderate or Near Gale	Large trees sway, becoming difficult to walk.Larger waves develop, white foam from breaking waves begins to be blown.
8	39-46 mph	62-74 kph	34-40 knots	Gale or Fresh Gale	Twigs and small branches are broken from trees, walking is difficult.Moderately large waves with blown foam.
9	47-54 mph	75-88 kph	41-47 knots	Strong Gale	Slight damage occurs to buildings, shingles are blown off of roofs.High waves (6 meters), rolling seas, dense foam, Blowing spray reduces visibility.
10	55-63 mph	89-102 kph	48-55 knots	Whole Gale or Storm	Trees are broken or uprooted, building damage is considerable.Large waves (6-9 meters), overhanging crests, sea becomes white with foam, heavy rolling, reduced visibility.
11	64-72 mph	103-117 kph	56-63 knots	Violent Storm	Extensive widespread damage.Large waves (9-14 meters), white foam, visibility further reduced.
12	73+ mph	118+ kph	64+ knots	Hurricane	Extreme destruction, devastation.Large waves over 14 meters, air filled with foam, sea white with foam and driving spray, little visibility.