On the Beaufort Wind Scale, a wind with speeds from 28 to 55 knots (32 to 63 miles per hour) For marine interests, it can be categorized as a moderate gale (28 to 33 knots), a fresh gale (34 to 40 knots), a strong gale (41 to 47 knots), or a whole gale (48 to 55 knots) In 1964, the World Meteorological Organization defined the categories as near gale (28 to 33 knots), gale (34 to 40 knots), strong gale (41 to 47 knots), and storm (48 to 55 knots)
1 In general, and in popular use, an unusually strong wind 2 In storm-warning terminology, a wind of 2847 knots (3254 mph) In the Beaufort wind scale, a wind with a speed from 2855 knots (3263 mph) and categorized as follows: moderate gale, 2833 knots (Force 7); fresh gale, 3440 knots (Force 8); strong gale, 4147 knots (Force 9); and whole gale, 4855 knots (Force 10)