Originally Posted by compress ignite

Beaufort Method

Find a flag blowing in the wind. This method requires no math but more of a subjective reading. The Beaufort Method uses a heavy flag, which are large flags found at military bases or weather stations.

1.
Observe how it reacts to the wind. If the flag is not moving at all, the wind speed is below 11 mph.

2.
Observe the flag. If it flaps lightly and sporadically the wind is blowing at around 12 to 18 mph.

3.
Estimate the flapping of the flag. If the flag is flapping over the whole length of the flag, it is blowing at around 19 to 24 mph.

4.
Measure how far the flag extends in the wind. If it is partially extended and flaps quickly, the wind speed is 25 to 31 mph. A fully extended flag flapping hard in the wind will be around 32 to 37 mph. It's not possible to use a flag to measure any higher as the flag will react in the same way, even with harsher winds.