Which scale is used to estimate wind speed on land or sea?

The Beaufort Scale is specifically designed to estimate wind speed based on observable effects on land and sea. This scale categorizes wind strength into different levels, each associated with specific wind speeds and corresponding descriptions of the environmental changes that can be observed, such as the behavior of trees, waves, and other indicators. It ranges from calm conditions to hurricane-force winds, allowing for easy communication of wind conditions without needing to measure the wind speed directly.

In contrast, the Fujita Scale is used to classify the intensity of tornadoes based on the damage they cause. The Saffir-Simpson Scale is applicable to hurricanes, categorizing them based on sustained wind speeds and the potential damage they can inflict when making landfall. The Richter Scale measures the magnitude of earthquakes, which is entirely unrelated to wind speed. Therefore, the Beaufort Scale emerges as the relevant and appropriate choice for estimating wind speed.