LingvoCore.com

gale warning: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Low (specialist)
UK/ˈɡeɪl ˌwɔːnɪŋ/US/ˈɡeɪl ˌwɔrnɪŋ/

Technical/Meteorological, Nautical

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “gale warning” mean?

An official advisory issued by meteorological authorities when sustained winds of a specific high speed (typically between 34–47 knots) are expected or occurring within a marine area.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

An official advisory issued by meteorological authorities when sustained winds of a specific high speed (typically between 34–47 knots) are expected or occurring within a marine area.

1. A specific category of weather warning for maritime conditions. 2. Can be used metaphorically in media or business to signal impending turbulent or difficult times (e.g., 'a gale warning for the economy').

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

The term is standard in both varieties. The UK Met Office and the US National Weather Service use identical terminology. The wind speed thresholds are defined slightly differently in knots/Beaufort scale interpretations but the term is the same.

Connotations

Identical nautical/meteorological connotations.

Frequency

Equally low frequency outside of weather forecasts, maritime communities, and news reports about severe weather.

Grammar

How to Use “gale warning” in a Sentence

[The/Meteorological Office] issued a gale warning [for the North Sea].A gale warning [has been lifted/remains in force].

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
issue a gale warninga gale warning is in effectcoastal gale warningmarine gale warning
medium
hear a gale warningbroadcast a gale warninggale warning for the channelgale warning remains
weak
severe gale warningsudden gale warningofficial gale warninglatest gale warning

Examples

Examples of “gale warning” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • The Met Office is warning of gales.
  • Coastguard HQ warned that gales were imminent.

American English

  • The Weather Service is warning boaters of gales.
  • They warned us about the gale.

adverb

British English

  • The wind blew gale-force all night.

American English

  • It's blowing gale-force out on the lake.

adjective

British English

  • gale-force winds
  • gale-battered coastline

American English

  • gale-force winds
  • gale-swept beaches

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Metaphorically: 'The quarterly results are a gale warning for investors.'

Academic

Used in meteorology, geography, and environmental science papers discussing forecast systems.

Everyday

Heard/viewed in weather forecasts, especially in coastal regions. 'They've just announced a gale warning, so the ferry is cancelled.'

Technical

Precise term in maritime meteorology, aviation (for coastal aerodromes), and emergency management protocols.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “gale warning”

Strong

storm warning (for higher wind speeds)

Neutral

high wind advisory (maritime)strong wind warning

Weak

wind alertnautical warning

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “gale warning”

all clearcalm conditions advisory

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “gale warning”

  • Using 'gale warning' for land-based high winds (incorrect; it's 'high wind warning').
  • Pronouncing 'gale' as 'gal' (short 'a') instead of /ɡeɪl/.
  • Using as a verb: 'They gale warned us' (incorrect). Correct: 'They issued a gale warning.'

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Typically sustained winds of 34 to 47 knots (Beaufort Force 8 or 9). Exact thresholds can vary slightly by country.

No. A storm warning is for more severe winds (usually 48 knots and above). A gale warning is a lower, but still dangerous, category.

Only if you live near the coast or are discussing weather forecasts. It is not a common everyday term for most inland speakers.

Through official weather services, marine radio broadcasts (VHF), NAVTEX, television/radio forecasts, and smartphone weather apps with alert functions.

An official advisory issued by meteorological authorities when sustained winds of a specific high speed (typically between 34–47 knots) are expected or occurring within a marine area.

Gale warning is usually technical/meteorological, nautical in register.

Gale warning: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡeɪl ˌwɔːnɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡeɪl ˌwɔrnɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “Sound the gale warning (metaphorical: signal coming trouble).”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'GALE' sounds like 'gail-force wind'. A WARNING is for safety. So, 'Gale Warning' = a safety announcement for gail-force winds.

Conceptual Metaphor

IMPENDING TROUBLE IS BAD WEATHER (e.g., 'gathering storm', 'gale warning').

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The captain decided to delay departure after the coastguard a gale warning for the afternoon.
Multiple Choice

What is the primary context for using the term 'gale warning'?

gale warning: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples | Lingvocore