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squamish A strong and often violent fall wind occurring in many of the fjords of British Columbia, named after the town of Squamish at the head of Howe Sound. Squamishes occur in those fjords oriented in a northeast-southwest or east-west direction, where cold polar air can be funneled westward. Besides Howe Sound, they are notable in Jervis, Toba, and Bute inlets and in Dean Channel and Portland Canal. Squamishes lose their strength when free of the confining fjords and are not noticeable 15 to 20 miles offshore. They are more common in winter. In Howe Sound this one can reach 40 knots. For an excellent book on British Columbia marine weather see Environment Canada's Marine Hazards Manual listed in the Source Book. See katabatic wind, which is the general type of any wind coming down a hill. This one goes down a hill and out a valley. See also local wind. Other local winds of interest to mariners are compiled in G243.

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