GALE

So here is what wikipedia says about gales....

A gale is a very strong wind. There are conflicting definitions of how strong a wind must be to be considered a gale. The U.S. government's National Weather Service defines a gale as 34–47 knots (63–87 km/h, 17.5–24.2 m/s or39–54 miles/hour) of sustained surface winds.^[1] Forecasters typically issue gale warnings when winds of this strength are expected.

Other sources use minima as low as 28 knots (52 km/h, 32 mph) and maxima as high as 90 knots (170 km/h, 100 mph). Through 1986, the National Hurricane Center used the term gale to refer to winds of tropical force for coastal areas, between 33 knots (61 km/h, 38 mph) and 63 knots (117 km/h, 72 mph). The 90-knot (170 km/h) definition is very non-standard. A common alternative definition of the maximum is 55 knots (102 km/h, 63 mph).^[2]

The most common way of measuring winds is with the Beaufort scale /ˈboʊfərt/,^[3] which defines gale as wind from 50 to 102 km/h. It is an empirical measure for describing wind speed based mainly on observed sea conditions. Its full name is the Beaufort Wind Force Scale.

On the Beaufort Wind Scale, a Gale is classified as: Moderate Gale(32–38 miles per hour), Fresh Gale(39-46 mph), Strong Gale(47-54 mph) and Whole Gale(55-63 mph). A Gale is a type of Wind Description preceded by Calm, Light Air, light Breeze, Gentle Breeze, Moderate Breeze, Fresh Breeze, Strong Breeze and succeeded by Storm,Violent Storm and Hurricane on a Beaufort Wind Scale. There is a unique Beaufort Scale number and a unique Arrow Indication for each type of Wind Description mentioned above.

I have no idea if this storm qualified as a gale or not....but it was amazing to be in it from this particular location and I am glad I was able to experience it.  These images were taken at the very beginning ... probably around 9:30 - 10 pm..  Before the wind had really picked up.  My room had a window which faced north - northwest - and all night the wind howled.  I don't think I really slept, and it was the only night I could see the shadow of the lighthouse light as it rotated past my room  (....the light was on every night - but we could never see it because it never got dark enough - but during this storm it did).

When I say the wind howled I mean it.  Kind of a shrill screeching howl that NEVER let up - not even for a second.  It was un-nerving and I found myself wondering at one point if we were safe or not...and where we go anyways...and how would we get there.  (re-look at the video of the road to the lighthouse....).  The next morning as everyone wandered down to breakfast I realized that I wasn't alone...it had kept pretty much everyone up.  The storm lasted about 24 hours...and then the sun came out and the sea was a brilliant blue again.