(Answer) What is the Beaufort scale used for in San Francisco Bay?

[8-6-2022] Microsoft Rewards Bing Homepage Quiz Question: What is the Beaufort scale used for in San Francisco Bay?

The given options are:

• Testing salinity of the ponds
• Weighing salt
• Measuring maritime wind

Correct Answer: Measuring maritime wind

Info: The Beaufort scale is an empirical measure that relates wind speed to observed conditions at sea or on land. Its full name is the Beaufort wind force scale. The scale was devised in 1805 by the Irish hydrographer Francis Beaufort, a Royal Navy officer serving on HMS Woolwich. In the 18th century, naval officers made regular weather observations, but no standard scale existed. Beaufort succeeded in standardizing the scale. In 1853, the Beaufort scale was accepted as generally applicable at the First International Meteorological Conference in Brussels. Away from the salt evaporation ponds, boating is a popular pastime in San Francisco Bay. But the winds across the bay can get strong. So, while the bay keeps your sailboat safe from large ocean waves, a Beaufort force 6 wind (25–31 mph) can kick up quickly. (Ref)

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All three questions from today’s Bing Homepage Quiz are below. You can find their answers by visiting those pages.

1. What are these colorful, shallow streams and ponds in San Francisco Bay used for?
2. What tiny creature contributes to the colors of the San Francisco Bay salt ponds here?
3. What is the Beaufort scale used for in San Francisco Bay?