whole gale

American  

noun

Meteorology.

1. a wind of 55–63 miles per hour (24–28 meters per second).

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whole gale British  

noun

1. a wind of force ten on the Beaufort scale

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Etymology

Origin of whole gale

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

whole gale

The storm warnings that flew Lake Michigan's length changed that night into "whole gale" warnings.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Channel was widening into the ocean, with depth enough for seas of oceanic volume, and it was still, as it had been for some hours, blowing a whole gale of wind.

From A Marriage at Sea by Russell, W. Clark (William Clark)

Sunday, the 15th February, dawned dark and gloomy, the wind blowing nearly a whole gale from the north, and the Alabama dashing along, with the wind well abeam, under reefed topsails.

From The Cruise of the Alabama and the Sumter by Semmes, Raphael

The Alabama lay still during the whole gale, not changing her position, perhaps, half a mile.

From Memoirs of Service Afloat, During the War Between the States by Semmes, Raphael

During the whole gale the captain was on the watch, sounding the lead to see if she dragged, and keeping the steam up to be in readiness to put to sea at a moment’s notice.

From Man on the Ocean A Book about Boats and Ships by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)