Beaufort force 12 corresponds to

• A. Calm sea
• B. Winds calm
• C. Hurricane, waves over 45 feet
• D. Beaufort force 9

Answer: (C)

Beaufort force 12 is the highest wind on the scale and matches hurricane conditions. It means winds are at hurricane levels, typically very strong and dangerous, with waves commonly exceeding 45 feet. So when you see “hurricane, waves over 45 feet” that is the description that fits force 12 exactly. The idea behind the scale is to translate what you observe on the water into a wind and sea state category you can use for planning and safety. The other statements describe much calmer conditions: calm wind and calm sea correspond to the lowest end of the scale, and a force 9 is a strong gale, which involves powerful winds and large waves but not the hurricane-level conditions of force 12.