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National Weather Service Headquarters
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email - myvos@[Link] or VOS Program
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 GUIDE TO
SEA STATE, WIND, AND CLOUDS

This booklet is divided into three parts. Part 1 contains sea state
photographs to assist shipboard observers estimating wind speed.
Part 2 contains cloud photographs for use in determining cloud type.
Part 3 is a glossary with terms and definitions.

Wind of 98 knots or less is coded in actual knots as ff in group Nddff

of the Ships Synoptic Code. For wind of 99 knots or greater, fff in group
OOfff is coded with the actual wind speed in knots, and ff is coded as 99.
Cloud type is coded in group 8NhCLCMCH of the ships synoptic code.
See the Ships Code Card or NWS Observing Handbook No. 1 for
detailed information about coding procedures.

Since most ships do not have a wind measuring instrument such as

an anemometer, wind speed is usually determined by noting the appear­
ance of the sea and estimating the Beaufort Force. This method
provides a true measure of wind speed. There is no need to factor out
the speed of the ship. The most reliable observations of sea state are
made by keeping a close, continuous watch on the sea, and being
aware of any swell that may be present.

The best way to become proficient in cloud identification is to combine

plenty of practice with careful study of the cloud descriptions and
photographs. There is a gradual transition between many of the cloud
types. Try to keep a close watch on their development and change.
 PART 1
STATE OF SEA AND WIND SPEED

The sea state photographs and descriptions that follow are for steady
state conditions, which result when the wind has been blowing from the
same direction for a relatively long time over a sufficiently long fetch
(the distance the wind has blown across the water without interruption).
For a given wind speed and duration, the longer the fetch, the greater
the sea disturbance. Depth of water also effects the appearance of the
sea. Waves running into shallow water become steeper and are more
likely to break, which may result in an overestimate of wind speed.
The sea criterion is for use over relatively deep water only.

There are other conditions when wind speed may be higher or lower
than indicated by the sea state. Heavy rain and floating ice will have a
dampening effect on the sea surface. Wind blowing against (opposite) a
tide or strong current causes a greater sea-wave height and sea-distur­
bance than normal, while wind blowing in the same direction as a tide or
strong current causes a smaller sea-wave height and sea-disturbance
than normal. There is a lag period between the wind increasing or
decreasing, and the sea wave height rising or falling. This is especially
pronounced during a sudden change in wind speed. The presence of
swell may cause more whitecaps to form, because wind waves have a
greater tendency to break when superimposed on the crest of swell.

1-1
 To distinguish sea from swell, remember that sea waves are generat­
ed by the wind blowing at the time of observation, or in the recent past,
in your local area. Swell waves have travelled into your area of observa­
tion, after having been generated by winds in other areas (sometimes
thousands of miles away). As sea waves move out from under the wind
that produces them and become swell, their character changes. T he
crests become lower and more rounded, and they move in trains of simi­
lar period and height. Swell is more symmetrical and uniform than sea,
and will have a longer period.

I Fetch
.. I
(
(
Swell

(
Direction

ll
of
wave-

(
advance
((��\<l

i \
area

Diagram showing development of wind waves in a storm area and evolution of

sea into swell as the waves travel out of the wave-generating area.

1-2
 BEAUFORT FORCE 0
WIND SPEED: LESS THAN 1 KNOT

SEA: SEA LIKE A MIRROR

1-3
 BEAUFORT FORCE 1
WIND SPEED: 1-3 KNOTS

SEA: WAVE HEIGHT .1 M (.25FT), RIPPLES WITH THE

APPEARANCE OF SCALES, BUT WITHOUT FOAM CRESTS

1-4
 BEAUFORT FORCE 2
WIND SPEED: 4-6 KNOTS

SEA: WAVE HEIGHT .2-.3M (.5-1 FT), SMALL WAVELETS,

CRESTS HAVE A GLASSY APPEARANCE AND DO NOT BREAK

1-5
 BEAUFORT FORCE 3
WIND SPEED: 7-10 KNOTS

SEA: WAVE HEIGHT .6-1 M (2-3FT), LARGE WAVELETS,

CRESTS BEGIN TO BREAK, ANY FOAM HAS GLASSY
APPEARANCE, SCATTERED WHITECAPS

1-6
 BEAUFORT FORCE 4
WINO SPEED: 11-16 KNOTS

SEA: WAVE HEIGHT 1-1.5M (3.5-5FT), SMALL WAVES

BECOMING LONGER, FAIRLY FREQUENT WHITE HORSES

1-7
 BEAUFORT FORCE 5
WIND SPEED: 17-21 KNOTS

SEA: WAVE HEIGHT [Link] (6-8FT), MODERATE WAVES

TAKING MORE PRONOUNCED LONG FORM, MANY WHITE
HORSES, CHANCE OF SOME SPRAY

1-8
 BEAUFORT FORCE 6
WIND SPEED: 22-27 KNOTS

SEA:WAVE HEIGHT 3-4M (9.5-13 FT),

LARGER WAVES BEGIN TO FORM, SPRAY IS PRESENT,
WHITE FOAM CRESTS ARE EVERYWHERE

1-9
 BEAUFORT FORCE 7
WIND SPEED: 28-33 KNOTS

SEA: WAVE HEIGHT 4-5.5M (13.5-19 FT), SEA HEAPS UP,

WHITE FOAM FROM BREAKING WAVES BEGINS TO BE
BLOWN IN STREAKS ALONG THE WIND DIRECTION

1-10
 BEAUFORT FORCE 8
WIND SPEED: 34-40 KNOTS

SEA:WAVE HEIGHT 5.5-7.5M (18-25FT), MODERATELY

HIGH WAVES OF GREATER LENGTH, EDGES OF CREST
BEGIN TO BREAK INTO THE SPINDRIFT, FOAM BLOWN IN
WELL MARKED STREAKS ALONG WIND DIRECTION.

1-11
 BEAUFORT FORCE 9
WIND SPEED: 41-47 KNOTS

SEA: WAVE HEIGHT 7-10M (23-32FT), HIGH WAVES, DENSE

STREAKS OF FOAM ALONG DIRECTION OF THE WIND, WAVE
CRESTS BEGIN TO TOPPLE, TUMBLE, AND ROLL OVER.
SPRAY MAY AFFECT VISIBILITY.

1-12
 BEAUFORT FORCE 10
WIND SPEED: 48-55 KNOTS

SEA: WAVE HEIGHT 9-12.5M (29-41 FT), VERY HIGH WAVES

WITH LONG OVERHANGING CRESTS, THE RESULTING
FOAM, IN GREAT PATCHES, IS BLOWN IN DENSE WHITE
STREAKS ALONG WIND DIRECTION. ON THE WHOLE, SEA
SURFACE TAKES A WHITE APPEARANCE, TUMBLING OF THE
SEA IS HEAVY AND SHOCK-LIKE, VISIBILITY AFFECTED.
1-13
 BEAUFORT FORCE 11
WIND SPEED: 56-63 KNOTS

SEA: WAVE HEIGHT 11.5-16M (37-52FT), EXCEPTIONALLY

HIGH WAVES, SMALL-MEDIUM SIZED SHIPS MAY BE LOST TO
VIEW BEHIND THE WAVES. SEA COMPLETELY COVERED
WITH LONG WHITE PATCHES OF FOAM LYING ALONG WIND
DIRECTION. EVERYWHERE, THE EDGES OF WAVE CRESTS
ARE BLOWN INTO FROTH.
1-14
 BEAUFORT FORCE 12
WIND SPEED: 64 KNOTS

SEA: SEA COMPLETELY WHITE WITH DRIVING SPRAY,

VISIBILITY VERY SERIOUSLY AFFECTED. THE
AIR IS FILLED WITH FOAM AND SPRAY

1-15
 SWELL

Swell are ocean waves that have travelled beyond the generating area.
They are produced by distant wind, and not by local wind. This is a promi­
nent swell with a long straight crest and a relatively long period. The sea
state is characteristic of Force 4.

1-16
 PART 2
DETERMINING CLOUD TYPE

There are three primary cloud forms, (1) the heap cloud, known as
Cumulus, formed from strong vertical air motion (convection), (2) the
layer cloud, known as Stratus, formed from more gradual horizontal and
vertical ascent of air, and (3) the streak cloud, known as Cirrus, com­
posed of ice crystals. The three basic cloud forms are subdivided into
ten important modifications or principal cloud types based on cloud
base height:

DESIGNATIONS TYPICAL HEIGHTS

Cirrus High 3-18 Km

Cirrostratus (10,000 - 60,000 Ft.)
Cirrocumulus

Altostratus Middle 2-8 Km

Altocumulus (6,500 - 25,000 Ft.)

Stratus Low below 2 Km

Stratocumulus (to 6,500 Ft.)
Nimbostratus

Cumulus Vertical development

Cumulonimbus (Low to middle and high levels)

2-1
 CL= 1
CUMULUS WITH LITTLE VERTICAL EXTENT

2-2
 CL= 2
CUMULUS WITH MODERATE OR
GREATER VERTICAL EXTENT

2-3
 CL= 3
CUMULONIMBUS, TOPS NOT FIBROUS,
OUTLINE NOT COMPLETELY SHARP, NO ANVIL.

2-4
 C
L= 4
STRATOCUMULUS FROM THE SPREADING OF CUMULUS.

2-5
 CL=
STRATOCUMULUS NOT5 FORMED FROM
SPREADING CUMULUS.

2-6
 CL= 6
STRATUS IN A SHEET OR LAYER.

2-7
 C L=
7
STRATUS FRACTUS AND/OR CUMULUS
FRACTUS OF BAD
'
WEATHER.

2-8
 CL= 8
CUMULUS AND STRATOCUMULUS (NO T FR OM SPREADING
CUMULUS), BASES AT DIFFERENT LEVELS.

2-9
 CL= 9
CUMULONIMBUS WITH FIBROUS TOP,
OFTEN WITH AN ANVIL.

2-10
 CM= 1
ALTOSTRATUS, SEMI-TRANSPARENT, SUN
OR MOON DIMLY VISIBLE.

2-11
 CM= 2
ALTOSTRATUS, DENSE ENOUGH TO HIDE SUN
OR MOON, OR NIMBOSTRATUS.

2-12
 CM= 3
ALTOCUMULUS, SEMI-TRANSPARENT, CLOUD ELEMENTS
CHANGE SLOWLY, ONE LEVEL.

2-13
 CM
=
ALTOCUMULUS PATCHES, 4SEMI-TRANSPARENT,
MULTILEVEL, CLOUD ELEMENTS CHANGING.
ALSO ALTOCUMULUS LENTICULAR.

2-14
 CM= 5
ALTOCUMULUS, ONE OR MORE BANDS OR
LAYERS, EXPANDING, THICKENING.

2-15
 CM= 6
ALTOCUMULUS FROM THE SPREADING OF
CUMULUS OR CUMULONIMBUS.

2-16
 C M=
ALTOCUMULUS, ONE OR MORE 7LAYERS, MAINLY OPAQUE,
NOT EXPANDING, OR ALTOCUMULUS WITH
ALTOSTRATUS OR NIMBOSTRATUS.
2-17
 CM= 8
ALTOCUMULUS WITH TOWER LIKE SPROUTINGS.

2-18
 CM= 9
ALTOCUMULUS OF A CHAOTIC SKY, USUALLY WITH HEAVY
BROKEN CLOUD SHEETS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS.

2-19
 CH= 1
CIRRUS FILAMENTS, STRANDS, HOOKS, NOT EXPANDING.

2-20
 CH= 2
DENSE CIRRUS IN PATCHES OR SHEAVES, NOT INCREASING,
OR CIRRUS LIKE CUMULIFORM TUFTS.

2-21
 CH= 3
DENSE CIRRUS, OFTEN THE ANVIL REMAINING
FROM CUMULONIMBUS.

2-22
 CH= 4
CIRRUS HOOKS OR FILAMENTS, INCREASING,
BECOMING DENSER.

2-23
 CH= 5
CIRRUS BANDS AND/OR CIRROSTRATUS, INCREASING,
GROWING DENSER, VEIL BELOW 45 ° .

2-24
 CH= 6
CIRRUS BANDS AND/OR CIRROSTRATUS, INCREASING,
GROWING DENSER, VEIL ABOVE 45 ° .

2-25
 CH=
7
CIRROSTRATUS COVERING WHOLE SKY

2-26
 CH= 8
CIRROSTRATUS, NOT INCREASING,
NOT COVERING WHOLE SKY.

2-27
 CH= 9
CIRROCUMULUS ALONE, AND/OR
CIRRUS AND CIRROSTRATUS.

2-28
 PART3
GLOSSARY
Alto­ Cloud prefix meaning middle level
Altocumulus Middle level white or gray patch, sheet, or layer of cloud,
composed of rounded masses, rolls, etc., which may or may
not be merged. Mainly composed of water droplets, some­
times partly fibrous (ice).
Altostratus Middle level grayish or bluish sheet or layer of striated,
fibrous, or uniform appearance.
Anemometer An instrument for measuring wind speed and direction.
Typically 3 or 4 rotating cups measure speed, and a vane
indicates direction.
Beaufort A numerical scale of wind force originally designed by
Wind Scale Admiral Francis Beaufort in the mid-19th century. It consists of
sea-state descriptions correlated with ranges of wind speed.
Cirro Cloud prefix meaning high level.
Cirrocumulus High level thin white patch, sheet, or layer of cloud, composed
of very small elements like ripples, grains, etc.
Cirrostratus High level transparent, whitish cloud veil of fibrous (hairlike),
or smooth appearance, often producing a halo.
Cirrus High level clouds of ice crystals in the form of delicate white
filaments, or white patches or narrow bands, with fibrous
appearance of silky sheen.
Cloud Height The height of the base of the cloud or cloud layer above the
sea or land surface.
Cloud Layer A grouping of clouds whose bases are at approximately the
same level.

3-1
Convection Vertical air movement in unstable air masses resulting in the
development of cumulus clouds.
Cloud Type A cloud form identified as distinct according to the World
Meteorological Organization.
Crest The highest part of the wave.
Cumulonimbus A heavy, dense cloud with considerable vertical extent, in the
form of a mountain or huge tower. Part of the upper portion
may be smooth or fibrous.
Cumulus Detached clouds, generally dense and with sharp outlines,
developing vertically in the form of rising mounds, domes, or
towers, of which the bulging upper part may resemble a cauli­
flower. The sunlit parts are brilliant white, the bases can be
dark and nearly horizontal.
Fetch The distance the wind has blown across the water without
interruption.
Fracto Cloud prefix meaning torn, ragged, or scattered appearance
due to strong winds.
Freak Wave A wave of great height and steepness, much higher than
other waves in the prevailing sea or swell system.
Gust Sudden brief wind increase followed by lull or slackening.
Knot One nautical mile per hour or .5 meters/second.
Lenticular A type of cloud formed in the ascending portion of an
airstream, which remains stationary while the air blows
through it.
Nimbostratus Gray cloud layer, often dark, thick enough to block out the
sun, which appears diffuse by falling precipitation.
Period See "wave period".
Ripple A small wavelet that forms at wind speed of 1-3 knots.

3-2
Sea Locally generated waves produced by the wind.
Sea Disturbance Waves, whitecaps, spindrift, foam, etc. on the sea surface.
Strato Cloud prefix referring to cloud sheets or layers.
Stratocumulus Lower level gray or whitish patch, sheet, or layer of cloud,
usually with dark parts, with rounded masses or rolls, which
may not be merged.
Stratus Generally gray lower level cloud layer with a fairly uniform
base, which may produce drizzle or snow grains.
Swell Ocean waves which have traveled beyond the generating
area, which have not been produced by the local wind.
They have longer periods than sea, and are more regular
and uniform.
Trough The lowest part of the wave.
True Direction Direction measured in degrees clockwise from true north,
where north is 0 ° .
Wave Height Distance from trough to crest, averaged for the better formed
waves in the group.
Wave Length Distance from trough to trough or crest to crest for adjacent
waves.
Wave Period Time, in seconds for the passage of successive wave crests.
Normally computed as an average value for several waves.
Whitecap The breaking crest of a wave, usually white and frothy.
Wind The horizontal motion of the air past a given point.
Wind Direction The true direction from which the wind is blowing at a given
location.
Wind Speed The rate at which the air is moving horizontally past a given
point. Wind speed estimates are usually made by relating the
state of the sea to the Beaufort Scale of wind force.

3-3
 BEAUFORT WIND SCALE
Sea Wave World
Beau- Wind Speed Meteoro-
Height
fort logical
num- meters Organi-
ber or per zation
force knots mph second feet meters (1964) Effects observed on sea
0 under 1 under 1 0.0-0.2 Calm Sea like mirror.
1 1-3 1-3 0.3-1 .'5 .25 .1 Light air Ripples with appearance of scales;
no foam crests.
2 4-6 4-7 1.6-3.3 .5-1 .2-.3 Light Small wavelets; crests of glassy
breeze appearance, not breaking.
3 7-10 8-12 3.4-5.4 2-3 .6-1 Gentle Large wavelets; crests begin to break;
breeze scattered whitecaps
4 11-16 13-18 5.5-7.9 3.5-5 1-1.5 Moderate Small waves, becoming longer;
breeze numerous whitecaps
5 17-21 19-24 8.0-10.7 6-8 2-2.5 Fresh Moderate waves, taking longer form;
breeze many whitecaps; some spray.
6 22-27 25-31 10.8-13.8 9.5-13 3-4 Strong Larger waves forming; whitecaps
breeze everywhere; more spray.
7 28-33 32-38 13.9-17.1 13.5-19 4-5.5 Near gale Sea heaps up; white foam from break-
ing waves begins to be blown in streaks.
8 34-40 39-46 17.2-20.7 18-25 5.5-7.5 Gale Moderately high waves of greater
length; edges of crests begin to break
into spindrift; foam is blown in well-
marked streaks.
9 41-47 47-54 20.8-24.4 23-32 7-10 Strong High waves; sea begins to roll; dense
gale streaks of foam; spray may reduce
visibility.
10 48-55 55-63 24.5-28.4 29-41 9-12.5 Storm Very high waves with overhanging
crests; sea takes white appearance as
foam is blown in very dense streaks;
rolling is heavy and visibility reduced.
11 56-63 64-72 28.5-32.6 37-52 11.5-16 Violent Exceptionally high waves; sea covered
storm with white foam patches; visibility still
more reduced.
12 64 and 73 and 32.7 and 45- 14- Hurricane Air filled with foam; sea completely
over over over white with driving spray; visibility
greatly reduced.
 rk 732-316-5409
732-316-5409
Icag
re 410-633-4709
815-834-0600 x26
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(Nalional Program
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907-4