This is the 11300th most frequent French word.
rafales
"Gusts" or "bursts" (typically of wind or gunfire).
Here, 'rafales' refers to strong bursts or blasts of wind.
Des rafales de vent ont fait tomber les branches des arbres.
Gusts of wind caused tree branches to fall.
In this instance, 'rafales' denotes rapid consecutive discharges of bullets.
Pendant la bataille, les soldats ont tiré des rafales de balles.
During the battle, the soldiers fired bursts of bullets.
'Rafales' is used metaphorically here to describe bursts of applause.