What defines a light breeze in terms of wave conditions?

A light breeze is characterized by small wavelets on the surface of the water, with the crests appearing glassy and no breaking waves present. This description aligns with the calmness associated with light wind conditions, where the surface remains relatively undisturbed and smooth. The presence of small wavelets indicates that there is some wind influence, but the intensity is low enough that the waves do not reach a stage where they break, resulting in an overall serene appearance on the water’s surface.

In contrast, larger wavelets and breaking waves indicate stronger wind conditions. The description of scattered whitecaps corresponds to moderate to strong breezes, where the energy from the wind creates more pronounced disturbances on the water. Similarly, turbulent water and breaking crests denote much stronger wind conditions, far exceeding what would be classified as a light breeze. Thus, the definition of a light breeze accurately reflects the gentle surface conditions that arise from minimal wind activity.