What is the Douglas scale and is it appropriate terminology ?
References to Douglas Scale appear more regularly in the maritime literature. The following terminology is recommended for use, such as supplying weather information and forecasts for shipping, publications, pilots, etc.: For the length of swell waves: Short 0 – 100 m Average 100 – 200 m Long over 200 m For the height of swell waves: Low 0 – 2 m Moderate 2 – 4 m Heavy over 4 m For the height of sea waves: Calm (glassy) 0 Calm (rippled) 0 – 0.1 m Smooth (wavelets) 0.1 – 0.5 m Slight 0.5 – 1.25 m Moderate 1.25 – 2.5 m Rough 2.5 – 4 m Very rough 4 – 6 m High 6 – 9 m Very high 9 – 14 m Phenomenal over 14 m In all cases, the exact bounding length or height is included in the lower category, i.e. a sea of four metres is described as rough. When the state of the sea surface is so confused that none of the above descriptive terms can be considered appropriate, the term “confused” should be used. The above-mentioned information is described in detail in the WMO publication No. 8 (Guide to Meteo
