Is there a difference between סערה vs. סופה?

The UAB Team
11 hours ago
2 min read

We are often asked if there is a real difference between the words סופה (Sufah) and סערה (Se'arah), and if so—what is it?

The Biblical Context: A Tale of Synonyms

In the Bible, סוּפָה and סְעָרָה (or סַעַר) are considered synonyms. Both terms describe a fierce wind, and metaphorically, they denote turmoil, noise, and even anger or wrath.

For example, looking at the Book of Amos (1:14):

"I will set fire to the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour her strongholds, with shouting in the day of battle, with a סַעַר in the day of the סוּפָה."

Even in post-Biblical literature, there is no distinct semantic difference between the words. The only real difference is quantitative: the word סערה is simply more common than סופה. Furthermore, about a third of the times סופה appears, it is right alongside סערה (or סער) as a synonymous pair—like the phrase "סופה וסער".

The Modern Scientific Distinction

In general spoken Hebrew today, סופה and סערה are still perceived as synonyms. However, in the field of meteorology, a clear distinction has been established based on wind speed. Simply put: a סופה is stronger than a סערה.

Here is the numerical breakdown accepted today by forecasters and sailors:

Hebrew Term	English Equivalent	Wind Speed	Wave Height
סערה	Gale	40 knots (75–80 km/h)	~ 5.5 meters
סופה	Storm	52 knots (95–100 km/h)	~ 9 meters

Historical and Practical Usage

This distinction isn't entirely new. It was documented in the Dictionary of Maritime Terms by the Language Committee in 1941 (5701), though the numerical values differed slightly at the time.

Because accuracy is vital for sailors, that dictionary even broke down the intensity of a סערה into specific categories: