A gale is a wind of at least 28 knots, 32 MPH, or 51km/h; and up to 55 knots, 63 MPH, or 102km/h.
It is divided into three or four categories:
- A moderate gale or near gale is up to 33 kt., 38 MPH, or 61km/h, and a small craft advisory is issued.
- A fresh gale or just gale is 34~40 kt., 39~46 MPH, or 62~74km/h, and a gale warning is issued.
- A strong gale is 41~47 kt., 47~54 MPH, or 75~88km/h, and a gale warning is issued or maintained.
- A whole gale or storm is 48 kt., 55 MPH, or 89km/h or greater, and a storm warning is issued.
The last category is often not considered a gale, but the lower half of a storm. If any of the latter three categories are in association with a tropical storm or hurricane, a tropical storm warning (or local equivalent) is issued instead.
See also the Beaufort scale.
