|
|
Article: Weather queries.(hurricanes)
- Article from:
- Weatherwise
- Article date:
- July 1, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 Heldref Publications. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Q Who determined that hurricanes become "hurricanes" when they reach a wind speed greater than 73 mph? Why was such an odd number chosen, and when did this become official?
Thom Vourlas
Norfolk, Virginia
A Rear Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort of the British Royal Navy used the word "hurricane" when he invented a wind force scale in the early 1800s. Beaufort's scale ranged from Force 1 (light air), through Forces 2-6 (light to strong breezes), Forces 7-10 (moderate to whole gales), Force 11 (storm), to the top of the scale, Force 12 (hurricane). Beaufort described the effect that a wind of each force would have on a battleship. The Royal Navy made ...