How many flags do you need for a gale warning?

One Pennant flag warns of high winds up to 38 mph or 33 knots. 2 Pennants signal of gale strength winds between 39-54 mph and 34-47 knots. One flag warns of storms with high wind s between 55-73 mph and 4863 knots. Two flags alert others of hurricanes or tropical cyclones with winds exceeding 74 mph or 64 knots.

What are the criteria for a gale warning?

A Gale Warning is issued when sustained surface winds (averaged over a ten minute period, momentary gusts may be higher) of 34 knots (39 mph) to 47 knots (54 mph) are either occurring, imminent or likely (for the marine forecasts, within 24-hours).

What flag is used for a gale warning?

Gale flags are solid red pennants. Flying one pennant indicates a small craft advisory. Flying two red pennants together means there is a gale warning in effect indicating winds of 39 mph to 54 mph. The other storm flag is a hurricane flag.

How many knots of wind is a gale warning?

gale, wind that is stronger than a breeze; specifically a wind of 28–55 knots (50–102 km per hour) corresponding to force numbers 7 to 10 on the Beaufort scale. As issued by weather service forecasters, gale warnings occur when forecasted winds range from 34 to 47 knots (63 to 87 km per hour).

What flags is used to indicate a storm warning?

In US maritime warning flag systems, a red square flag with a black square taking up the middle ninth of the flag is used to indicate a storm warning (the use of two such flags denotes a hurricane force wind warning or a hurricane warning).

Storm Flags

What does orange flag on boat mean?

State law requires that boats towing person(s) on water skis or similar devices carry and use an orange or red skier-down flag, at least 12 × 12 inches in size, whenever the towed person(s) or associated equipment is down in the water.

What does an orange distress flag mean?

Approval is required before engraving will start.

The Orange Distress Flag is a non-pyrotechnic device that meets the U.S. Coastguard requirement (46 CFR 160.072) for daytime use.

Are 22 knots windy?

19-24 Mph 29-38 kph 17-21 knots Fresh Breeze Small trees sway. White crested wavelets (whitecaps) form, some spray. 25-31 Mph 39-49 kph 22-27 knots Strong Breeze Large tree branches move, telephone wires begin to "whistle", umbrellas are difficult to keep under control. Larger waves form, whitecaps prevalent, spray.

Is 15 knots rough?

At ten knots, the surface can become choppy, which is usually OK for inshore boating. However, conditions start to get rough from fifteen knots or more, so unless you've got a very big boat, it's best to avoid heading out!

How strong is a gale warning?

Gale Warning: A warning of sustained winds in the range 34 to 47 knots (KT) inclusive either predicted or occurring not associated with tropical cyclones. Gust: A rapid fluctuation of wind speed with variations of 10 KT or more between peaks and lulls.

Why is it called a gale warning?

A gale warning is an alert issued by national weather forecasting agencies around the world in an event that maritime locations currently or imminently experiencing winds of gale force on the Beaufort scale.

What does gale force 9 mean?

9. 41-47. Strong Gale. High waves (23-32 ft), sea begins to roll, dense streaks of foam, spray may reduce visibility. Slight structural damage occurs, slate blows off roofs.

What is a storm flag?

Definition of storm flag

1 : a small national flag flown (as at a U.S. Army post) only in stormy weather and measuring usually 9 feet 6 inches by 5 feet. 2 : a square red flag with a square black center displayed singly, in pairs, or in combination with various pennants to indicate the approach of a storm.

What is gale force wind speed?

A gale is a strong wind, typically used as a descriptor in nautical contexts. The U.S. National Weather Service defines a gale as 34–47 knots (63–87 km/h, 17.5–24.2 m/s or 39–54 miles/hour) of sustained surface winds.

Can you drive in gale force winds?

"Make sure you hold the steering wheel firmly. Strong winds are not constant; they're usually gusty and can catch you off guard, the key is not to grip too tightly, which may restrict your movement or cause you to jerk the wheel, but to maintain a firm grasp so you have as much control over the wheel as possible."

What temperature is good for boating?

A good rule of thumb is to follow the 120-degree rule. The formula states that if water and air temperature add up to 120 degrees or less, you should take precautions. That includes wearing a wetsuit or drysuit, plus a life jacket.

What is an unsafe height of a wave?

If the wave length is 7 times or less than the wave's height, then you should take precautions. For example, using the minimum 30 percent wave height to boat length, if your boat is 40 feet long, then the wave-height danger zone starts at waves 12 feet high (40 x 30).

What's the best wind direction for fishing?

When the wind blows from the east and the barometric pressure drops, the decrease in air pressure can cause fish stomachs to shrink slightly. It could be enough that the fish's will and need to hunt and feed decreases. Winds from the south and west tend to improve fishing.

How windy is too windy?

"Damaging high wind" with sustained speeds greater than 58 mph, or frequent wind gusts greater than 58 mph. Damaging wind conditions are consistent with a high wind warning. "A High Threat to Life and Property from High Wind." "High wind" with sustained speeds of 40 to 57 mph.

Is 15 knots strong wind?

These designations were standardized nationally in 2008, whereas "light wind" can refer to 0 to 12 or 0 to 15 knots and "moderate wind" 12 to 19 or 16 to 19 knots, depending on regional custom, definition or practice.

How much wind is too much for fishing?

However, if you are fishing in a 15-foot skiff, a 20-knot wind can make for rough boating and lousy fishing. Unless your boat is built for heavy water, which some smaller boats are, pleasure boats under the length of 25 feet should head for the dock if the wind reaches ten miles per hour or more.

What does a white flare mean?

FLARES TYPES OF FLARES:

Generally there are two types of flares: 1) Collision Avoidance Flares: Designed to warn other vessels of your position. These flares give a white light. 2) Distress Flares: To be used when there is “grave and imminent danger to life and/or to the vessel”.

Why do boats call Mayday?

MAYDAY - distress signal, requires the most urgent response. This signal is only to be used when a person, or boat is threatened by grave or imminent danger, and requires assistance.

What are the 3 types of visual distress signals?

Visual distress signals include day signals that are visible in sunlight, night signals that are visible in the dark, and anytime signals that can be used both day and night.