I am looking to find out how fast the wind must be blowing to pick up droplets of water off the surface of a body of water so I can guess-timate the wind speed I was experiencing in Patagonia.
2007-05-17 17:26:30 · 5 answers · asked by Ryan_99juliet 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
First I would like to commend those that try to get there answers from wikipedia. But I have foun to many mistakes so
wikipedia is not the all know authority so I go to the best source for weather, NOAA and the NWS
NOW FOR THE QUESTION:
link to the beaufort scale
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/beaufort.html
Beaufort Actualwind
Speed Speed
4 11-16 Moderate Breeze Small waves 1-4 ft. becoming longer, numerous whitecaps
5 17-21 Fresh Breeze Moderate waves 4-8 ft taking longer form, many whitecaps, some spray
6 22-27 Strong Breeze Larger waves 8-13 ft, whitecaps common, more spray
2007-05-18 07:15:20 · answer #1 · answered by NWS Storm Spotter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry.. a 15 mph breeze cannot pick up water and cause "spray"
It takes near hurricane force winds of 55 knots or higher..
Living on the coast of Kodiak Island I've see it occur several times annually over 55 plus years
2017-01-06 19:25:44 · answer #2 · answered by Ted 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Foam and spray start at wind speeds of 19 - 24 mph.
See the article on the Beaufort Scale in Wikipedia.
2007-05-18 02:24:09 · answer #3 · answered by Sandy G 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
about 40 mph
2007-05-17 18:26:41 · answer #4 · answered by Kristenite’s Back! 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
about 15 miles per hour or higher will do it.
2007-05-17 18:25:56 · answer #5 · answered by Frickin Misfit 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋