roaring forties

American  

plural noun

1. either of two areas in the ocean between 40° and 50° N or S latitude, noted for high winds and rough seas.

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Roaring Forties British  

plural noun

1. nautical the areas of ocean between 40° and 50° latitude in the S Hemisphere, noted for gale-force winds

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Etymology

Origin of roaring forties

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

The westerly winds - known by latitude as the roaring forties, furious fifties, and screaming sixties - are hugely influential.

From BBC

On Jan. 6, he entered the Roaring Forties, a stormy region of the Southern Ocean that is home to his species.

From Seattle Times

On January 6, he entered the Roaring Forties, a stormy region of the Southern Ocean that is home to his species.

From Washington Post

An example is the westerly wind belt that runs between 40 and 50 degrees latitude, known as the Roaring Forties, including the southern Indian Ocean.

From Washington Times

Ummenhofer said that recent research indicates the Roaring Forties is strengthening in the summer and shifting south into the region known as the Furious Fifties.

From Washington Times