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gale—1. In general, and in popular use, an unusually strong wind. 2. In storm-warning terminology, a wind of 28–47 knots (32–54 mph). In the Beaufort wind scale, a wind with a speed from 28–55 knots (32–63 mph) and categorized as follows: moderate gale, 28–33 knots (Force 7); fresh gale, 34–40 knots (Force 8); strong gale, 41–47 knots (Force 9); and whole gale, 48–55 knots (Force 10).