What is the difference between a hurricane and a gale?

Answer 1

Depends on how dangerous the hurricane is. It can be stronger or weaker than tornado, so there is some overlap, however, the very strongest of tornadoes have winds that can exceed 300mph while the very strongest of hurricanes have winds up to about 200 mph.

However storms this strong are very rare.

In most cases the winds fall into the same range.

Answer 2

Tornadoes are generally more violent, but a cyclone will release more energy simply because it is much larger.

A cyclone is virtually any large-scale low pressure system with a closed circulation, and is not necessarily severe.

Answer 3

Gale Force is much stronger, a strong Gale Force wind is 55-63 mph, it is a level 10 on the Beaufort Scale, for comparison a hurricane force wind is a level 12 which is winds greater than 73 mph.

Answer 4

In terms of energ output, a hurricane is far stronger. In terms of peak wind speed, it depends on the kind of whirlwind. Non-tornadic whrilwinds generally cannot produce winds equivalent even to a minimal hurricane.

However, tornadoes generally produce wind speeds in the same range that hurricanes do. But, in the most extreme cases, the winds of a tornado are far faster.

Answer 5

Gale force winds start at 35 knots (about 39 mph) while storm force winds start at 50 knots (about 58 mph).

Answer 6

according to the beaufort scale, http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Which_is_stronger_a_storm_wind_or_a_gale_wind"

Answer 7

A hurricane releases more energy mostly because it is much bigger. But winds in a tornado can be much faster.

Answer 8

A hurricane is a tropical cyclone with sustained winds of at least 74 mph.

A gale is a extratropical low (cyclone) with sustained winds of 39 to 54 mph.