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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

The slope became steeper, the ice harder, the half gale became a whole gale, and the delay between each step seemed interminable.

From Above the Snow Line by Dent, Clinton Thomas

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)

A whole gale is coming, and the woods are beside themselves.

From Anthony Lyveden by Yates, Dornford

This whole gale of thought was blowing over Garlock's receptors like a Great Plains wind over miles-wide fields of corn.

From The Galaxy Primes by Smith, E. E. (Edward Elmer)