Hurricane wind is one of its characteristic forces, but how does one go about measuring wind on a normal scale? The Beaufort scale separates wind strength into thirteen measured categories:

Number	Description	Wind Speed	Possible effects
0	Calm	0 mph (0 kph)	Chimney smoke rises straight up
1	Light air	2 mph (3 kph)	Smoke drifts gently
2	Light breeze	5 mph (9 kph)	Wind can be felt on face, leaves rustle
3	Gentle breeze	10 mph (15 kph)	Tree leaves and twigs move
4	Moderate wind	15 mph (25 kph)	Dust and paper is raised up from the ground
5	Fresh wind	21 mph (35 kph)	Small trees begin to sway
6	Strong wind	28 mph (45 kph)	Large branches move
7	Near gale	35 mph (56 kph)	Entire trees sway
8	Gale	43 mph (68 kph)	It is difficult to walk into the wind
9	Severe gale	50 mph (81 kph)	Branches and slates are blown off
10	Storm	59 mph (94 kph)	Houses are damaged, trees uprooted
11	Severe storm	69 mph (110 kph)	Serious damage done to houses
12	Hurricane	74 mph (118 kph)	Widespread damage

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Forces of Nature: ThinkQuest 2000 (Team #C003603)

http://library.thinkquest.org/C003603/english/hurricanes/hurricanewind.shtml