The most comfortable wind ranges for general kite flying are those between 5 and 15 m.p.h. Always remember that even if the wind at ground level is light and manageable, a few thousand feet up it may not only be considerably stronger, but also blowing in a different direction. It is never recommended to fly a kite in winds over 6 on the Beaufort Wind Scale.
In 1806 Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort of the British Navy devised a wind velocity scale to enable the captains of sailing ships to accurately assess wind speeds at sea. Though the original scale dealt with purely maritime effects, it has since been modified for land.
Beaufort Scale
Wind Speed
Description
Visual Cues
0
1 mph
Calm
Smoke rises vertically.
1
2 mph
Light
Smoke drifts.
2
5 mph
Light Breeze
Leaves rustle.
3
10 mph
Gentle Breeze
Lighter branches sway.
4
15 mph
Moderate Breeze
Dust rises. Branches move.
5
21 mph
Fresh Breeze
Small trees sway.
6
28 mph
Strong Breeze
Larger branches move.
7
35 mph
Moderate gale
Trees move.
8
42 mph
Fresh gale
Twigs break.
9
50 mph
Strong gale
Branches break.
10
59 mph
Whole gale
Trees fall.
11
69 mph
Storm
Violent blasts.
12
75+ mph
Hurricane
Structures shake.
1 mile = 1.6 kilometers
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