National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Rare Southern U.S. Winter Storm; Dangerous Cold Weather For Much of the Eastern U.S.; Critical Fire Weather for Southern California

A rare winter storm impacting the Southern U.S. will move offshore Wednesday morning. Behind the storm, arctic air will continue encompassing the eastern two-thirds of the Nation with only a slow return to normal temperatures expected by the end of the week. Moderate to strong Santa Ana winds and low humidity will maintain Critical fire weather conditions in southern California into Thursday. Read More >

 
 Beaufort Wind Scale
#  MPH  Knots Description Specifications
0 < 1 < 1 Calm Smoke rises vertically.
1 1-3 1-3 Light Air Direction of wind shown by smoke drift but not by wind vanes.
2 4-7 4-6 Light Breeze Wind felt on face;
Leaves rustle; Wind vanes moved by wind
3 8-12 7-10 Gentle Breeze Leaves and small twigs in constant motion; Wind extends light flag.
4 13-18 11-16 Moderate Raises dust, loose paper; Small branches moved.
5 19-24 17-21 Fresh Small trees begin to sway; Crested wavelets form on inland waters.
6 25-31 22-27 Strong Large branches in motion; Whistling heard in telephone wires; Umbrellas
used with difficulty.
7 32-38 28-33 Near Gale Whole trees in motion; Inconvenience felt walking against the wind.
8 39-46 34-40 Gale Twigs break off trees; Wind generally impedes progress; Mobile homes
may shake.
9 47-54 41-47 Strong Gale Slight structural damage occurs; Mobile homes, sheds, roofs, lanais,
and RV's suffer minor damage.
10 55-63 48-55 Storm Small trees uprooted; Moderate damage occurs to mobile homes and RV's;
Brick and wood frame houses receive minor structural and roof damage;
Some signs blown down.
11 64-73 56-63 Violent Storm Moderate sized trees uprooted; Large branches snapped off trees;
Chimneys and road signs toppled; Significant mobile home damage;
Power lines downed.
12 74-95 64-83 Hurricane Category 1 Mobile homes overturned; Large trees and branches downed; Moderate
roof damage to wood and brick homes; Minor pier damage.