Strong winds can trigger gale warnings that signal dangerous conditions near oceans, sounds or lakes, but the hazards can extend beyond the shoreline. According to meteorologist Patrick Saunders with the National Weather Service, the warnings focus on sustained winds or frequent gusts over water that can create problems for both people and vessels. When those same wind patterns show up during winter weather, the cold can also become more dangerous through wind chill, even for people who are not planning to be on the water.
The National Weather Service defines a gale warning as an alert tied to high sustained winds or frequent gusts over a body of water. Saunders said the agency typically issues gale warnings when wind speeds are faster than 35 knots, or about 40 mph (64 km/h). He also said that the strongest impacts are tied to how the winds interact with water, where waves can grow larger and become hazardous.
Saunders said the main recommendation from the National Weather Service for most people is to stay away from the water during gale warnings. Strong winds can produce larger waves that can capsize or damage vessels, particularly smaller boats, he said. He also noted that these maritime conditions can translate into dangerous impacts on land, especially when gusts are strong enough to move objects.
Jason Furtado, an associate professor of meteorology at the University of Oklahoma, said gale-warning weather can follow the “recipe” that produces high winds and bring windy conditions miles from water as well. Over land, he said, the National Weather Service typically issues high wind warnings. In that situation, the hazards are not limited to boating—Furtado pointed to trees and tree branches, and said strong winds can affect roofs and power lines in some areas.
Furtado said wind can create risks for vehicles and drivers as well. He said large trucks are more likely to tip over in high winds, and sudden gusts can make it harder to navigate storm-related hazards such as slippery or icy roads. If snow is on the ground, high winds can also kick it up and reduce visibility.
Wind and cold work together in another way: wind chill. Saunders said that wind tends to make temperatures feel colder because the body creates heat, and the wind blows that heat away. He warned that the added wind chill can become dangerous to human health as conditions worsen, and he said frostbite becomes a risk once windchill temperatures drop into negative numbers.
Both Saunders and Furtado said the warnings can be dangerous partly because some people do not respond to them as seriously as they do other types of winter alerts. Furtado said some people may not react as they would with a winter storm warning or a blizzard warning. He urged people to pay attention to high wind warnings and take appropriate action.
He recommended practical steps that include dressing warmly, securing outside decorations or plants, and taking extra precautions if people have to drive.