This scale was originally created by Sir Francis Beaufort of the Royal Navy in 1805 and its history is here. The above descriptions are those applicable to land, those at sea are in the article.

We think the Thursday night wind strength was an 8 on the scale; at least we lost a tree branch, the last time that happened was on 17 April 2014.

The Tararua foothills give Waikanae some protection from south-easterly winds, but there is little protection from other directions.