Describing and measuring the wind
the Beaufort scale
noun
a series of numbers from 0 to 12 that are used to show how strongly the wind is blowing. 0 means that there is no wind and 12 means that there is a hurricane (=a violent storm)
biting
adjective
biting wind or cold is so cold that it makes you feel very uncomfortable
cutting
adjective
a cutting wind is strong and very cold
east
adjective
an east wind blows from the east
easterly
adjective
an easterly wind blows from the east
following
adjective, preposition, pronoun
a following wind blows behind a boat, plane, or other vehicle and makes it travel faster
force
noun
used with a number for describing how strong a wind is
gale-force
adjective
a gale-force wind is very strong and often causes damage to buildings and trees
gentle
adjective
gentle wind or rain is not strong or unpleasant
gusty
adjective
a gusty wind blows strongly for short periods of time
high
adjective
high winds are very strong
keen
adjective
a keen wind is cold and strong
light
adjective
a light wind is not very strong
north
adjective
a north wind blows from the north
north-easterly
adjective
a north-easterly wind blows from the north-east
northerly
adjective
a northerly wind blows from the north
north-westerly
adjective
a north-westerly wind blows from the north-west
offshore
adjective
an offshore wind is blowing away from the land, towards the sea
penetrating
adjective
affecting you by passing through layers that would normally protect you
piercing
adjective
piercing wind or cold air is so cold that it hurts you
sharp
adjective
a sharp wind or frost is very cold
soft
adjective
soft wind, rain etc is not strong or unpleasant
south
adjective
a south wind blows from the south
south-easterly
adjective
a south-easterly wind blows from the south-east
southerly
adjective
a southerly wind blows from the south
south-westerly
adjective
a south-westerly wind blows from the south-west
violent
adjective
a violent wind, storm, or explosion happens with great force and causes serious damage and destruction
west
adjective
a west wind blows from the west
westerly
adjective
a westerly wind blows from the west
wind chill
noun
the fact that the wind makes the air temperature feel colder
stiff wind/breeze
a stiff wind or breeze is fairly strong
