Gale watch

{{Short description|Weather advisory in the United States}}

A gale watch is issued by the National Weather Service of the United States when there is an increased risk for a gale-force wind event, meaning sustained surface winds, or frequent gusts, of {{Convert|34|to|47|kn|mph kph}}, but the occurrence, location, and/or timing of the event is still uncertain.{{cite web|title=Gale Watch|url=http://www.weather.gov/glossary/index.php?word=gale+watch|work=Glossary - National Weather Service|access-date=20 May 2011|author=National Weather Service}}

Example

The following is an example of a gale watch issued by the National Weather Service office in Miami, Florida.{{cite web|title=Gale Watch|url=http://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/vtec/2010-O-NEW-KMFL-GL-A-0001.html#2010-O-NEW-KMFL-GL-A-0001|work=Iowa Environmental Mesonet NWS Product Archive|access-date=20 May 2011|author=National Weather Service}}

578

WHUS72 KMFL 111914

MWWMFL

URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL

214 PM EST THU FEB 11 2010

...GALE FORCE WINDS POSSIBLE FRIDAY INTO FRIDAY NIGHT...

AMZ650-651-670-671-120930-

/O.CAN.KMFL.SC.Y.0051.000000T0000Z-100211T2300Z/

/O.NEW.KMFL.GL.A.0001.100212T1500Z-100213T0900Z/

COASTAL WATERS FROM JUPITER INLET TO DEERFIELD BEACH, FL OUT

20 NM-

COASTAL WATERS FROM DEERFIELD BEACH TO OCEAN REEF, FL OUT 20 NM-

WATERS FROM JUPITER INLET TO DEERFIELD BEACH, FL EXTENDING FROM

20 NM TO 60 NM-

WATERS FROM DEERFIELD BEACH TO OCEAN REEF, FL EXTENDING FROM

20 NM TO THE TERRITORIAL WATERS OF THE BAHAMAS-

214 PM EST THU FEB 11 2010

...GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE FRIDAY

NIGHT...

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MIAMI HAS ISSUED A GALE WATCH...

WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT.

THE SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR THIS AFTERNOON HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

SEAS HAVE SUBSIDED BELOW 7 FEET ACROSS THE GULF STREAM THIS

AFTERNOON. A STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL PASS NORTH OF THE

REGION FRIDAY EVENING. STRONG SOUTHERLY WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO

DEVELOP FRIDAY AHEAD OF THE LOW...WITH STRONG WESTERLY WINDS

BEHIND THE ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT PASSING DURING THE EVENING HOURS.

SUSTAINED WINDS OF 25 TO 35 KNOTS ARE POSSIBLE WITH FREQUENT GUSTS

TO 40 KNOTS EVEN OUTSIDE OF THUNDERSTORMS. THESE WINDS WILL LEAD

TO EXTREMELY DANGEROUS MARINE CONDITIONS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A GALE WATCH IS ISSUED WHEN THE RISK OF GALE FORCE WINDS OF 34 TO

47 KNOTS HAS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED...BUT THE SPECIFIC TIMING

AND/OR LOCATION IS STILL UNCERTAIN. IT IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE

ADDITIONAL LEAD TIME FOR MARINERS WHO MAY WISH TO CONSIDER

ALTERING THEIR PLANS.

&&

$$

See also

References

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