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Large waves crash against a lighthouse at Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear, England, as gale-force winds create rough, turbulent seas under a dark sky.
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Large waves crash against a lighthouse at Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear, England, as gale-force winds create rough, turbulent seas under a dark sky.
gale Gale-force winds causing heavy seas at Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear, Eng.

Gale

wind
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Gale warnings on Great Lakes, rain ahead. When weather will get rough • Oct. 15, 2026, 10:50 AM ET (Detroit Free Press)

Gale, wind that is stronger than a breeze; specifically a wind of 28–55 knots (50–102 km per hour) corresponding to force numbers 7 to 10 on the Beaufort scale. As issued by weather service forecasters, gale warnings occur when forecasted winds range from 34 to 47 knots (63 to 87 km per hour).

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.