Winter weather across the United States can bring storms and steeply falling temperatures, and those shifts can come with high winds. When officials expect sustained winds or frequent gusts over open water, the National Weather Service can issue a gale warning, a designation intended to communicate practical safety risks for people near oceans, sounds and lakes.
The Weather Service’s threshold for a gale warning centers on wind speed over water. Meteorologist Patrick Saunders of the National Weather Service said the agency typically issues gale warnings whenever wind speeds are faster than 35 knots, or about 40 mph (64 km/h). Saunders also described gale warnings as a maritime alert that is reserved for communities near water because of the hazards that strong winds can create over waves.
Gale warnings matter because the danger is not limited to the waterline. Saunders said the main recommendation from the National Weather Service is for most people to stay away from the water. “Strong winds cause larger waves, which have the potential to capsize or damage vessels, especially smaller boats,” Saunders said.
The wind can also create hazards for people on land. Jason Furtado, an associate professor of meteorology at the University of Oklahoma, said the same weather setup that produces strong winds near water can create windy conditions farther inland, even over land. “Over land, the National Weather Service typically translates that to high wind warnings,” he said.
Furtado said that in addition to dangerous wind itself, the gusts can affect trees and rooftops. “It can affect trees, tree branches. Particularly in some areas, if the winds get really strong, that can affect roofs, power lines,” he said, adding that people can see items such as trampolines thrown by strong wind gusts.
Officials also warn that wind can worsen driving conditions during winter weather. The combination of high wind and winter precipitation can contribute to hazards for drivers, including tipping risks for large trucks, and gusts that make it harder to navigate slippery or icy roads. If snow is on the ground, high winds can also kick it up, reducing visibility.
Cold plus wind can create additional medical risk. Saunders said wind chill occurs when the body’s heat is pulled away by the wind, making conditions feel colder. “It tends to feel colder because your body creates heat, and then as the wind blows, it blows that heat away,” Saunders said.
Furtado said that when windchill temperatures drop into negative numbers, frostbite becomes a risk. He also cautioned that gale warnings and high wind warnings may get less attention than other winter alerts, such as winter storm warnings or blizzard warnings, and urged people to respond appropriately. “Some people may not react as they would with a winter storm warning or a blizzard warning,” Furtado said. “People need to pay attention to high wind warnings, and take appropriate action.”
If you are under a gale warning, Furtado recommended dressing warmly, securing outside decorations or plants, and taking extra precautions if you have to drive.