Strong Along-Channel Winds on the Coast of British Columbia: Synoptic Climatology and Case Studies.

Strong along-channel winds on the coast of British Columbia have been investigated at several locations. Large-scale (synoptic-scale) atmospheric situations have been determined for different types of the along-channel winds that blow up and down channels throughout different seasons. Wintertime outflow winds are associated with a sea-level high-pressure area over the interior of British Columbia caused by an arctic air mass. Wintertime inflows are caused by sea level low-pressure systems that advance toward the coast of British Columbia. Summertime inflows are initiated by a frontal passage or an inland thermal trough. Case studies at Howe Sound are provided utilizing a period of intensive observations. Inflows (outflows) are accompanied by high (lower) temperature and dew point and caused by an along-channel pressure gradient pointed inland (toward the coast). An outflow case shows potential hydraulic features, and the vertical structure of two cases indicate a lower gap flow layer within 1-2 km height. --Leaf ii.