Wiktionary
n. A strong Mediterranean wind blowing from the north-east.
Wikipedia
The Gregale (, , , ) is a Mediterranean wind that can occur during times when a low-pressure area moves through the area to the south of Malta and causes a strong, cool, northeasterly wind to affect the island. It also affects other islands of the Western Mediterranean.
The name derives from the Italian grecale, which refers to the island of Zakynthos, in Greece.
This is likely to be the Euroclydon storm, from Greek Euros (east) and kludo (billow, surge) or Latin Aquilo (north) "northeaster" or the island Clauda (Acts 27:16), which wrecked the apostle Paul's ship on the coast of Malta on his way to Rome (Acts 27:14).
Usage examples of "gregale".
Soon the other wind called gregale will bring the gentle rains to solemnize the sowing of our red wheat.
That wind — the Gregale, the sailing directions called it — did not allow Hornblower any leisure at present for sightseeing.
He looked round him at the ship illuminated by the wild sunset the Gregale had brought with it.
That wind - the Gregale, the sailing directions called it - did not allow Hornblower any leisure at present for sightseeing.
Under the thrust of the gregale, coming in gusts off Delamara Point, the Sophie's lee-lurch slopped out too much by half.