Collocations for gale - noun

howling, severe, strong
force-8, etc.
northerly, westerly, etc. (esp. BrE)
autumn (esp. BrE), fall (AmE), winter, etc.
Atlantic, North Sea, etc.

get caught in
We got caught in a howling gale.

blow, sweep (esp. BrE)
A strong gale was blowing along the coast.

warning

in gale
The tree had come down in a gale the night before.

be blowing a gale (esp. BrE)
It's blowing a gale out there!

gales of laughter