What weather warning is issued when gusts exceed 34 knots with storm clouds?

The issuance of a squall warning is appropriate when wind gusts exceed 34 knots and are associated with storm clouds. A squall is characterized by a sudden, sharp increase in wind speed, often accompanied by heavy precipitation, thunderstorms, or significant weather changes, which aligns with the criteria presented in the question. This type of warning is critical for mariners and others who rely on understanding weather conditions, as it indicates potentially dangerous conditions due to the abrupt and powerful wind shifts that can accompany squalls.

In the context of the other options, they refer to different levels or types of wind conditions. A hurricane force wind warning specifically pertains to even more severe wind speeds, typically 64 knots or higher, indicating the extreme nature of a hurricane. A strong wind warning is generally issued for sustained winds in excess of a certain threshold, but it does not specifically account for the conditions described (gusts exceeding 34 knots alongside storm clouds). A gale warning signifies winds ranging from 34 to 40 knots, but it is not specifically tied to the immediate, severe nature of storm clouds that often accompany squalls. Thus, these other warnings do not capture the immediate concerning conditions of wind gusts exceeding 34 knots coupled with storm activity, reinforcing why a squ