On the Beaufort Scale of wind force, what wind name is given to number 8?

The story behind the answer

Gale is Force 8 on the Beaufort Scale, corresponding to sustained winds of about 34–40 knots (39–46 mph or 62–74 km/h). At this strength, twigs break off trees, progress on foot becomes difficult, and at sea you see moderately high waves with breaking crests. “Storm” is stronger (Force 10) and “Hurricane” is the top of the classical scale (Force 12), while “Breeze” covers the much lighter Forces 1–6.

The Beaufort Scale was created by Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort (1805) to standardize wind descriptions based on their visible effects on ships and the sea; it’s still used in marine forecasts. Memory tip: 0 calm; 1–6 breezes; 7–9 gales (7 “near gale,” 8 “gale,” 9 “strong gale”); 10–11 storms; 12 hurricane. So 8 sits squarely in the gale range.