There they have been defined as "a flow of air in a sea level channel that accelerates under the influence of a pressure gradient parallel to the axis of the channel." As in the case of mountain- gap winds, this term has also been applied to pressure-gradient winds accelerating through a gap in a mountain barrier. The pressure gradient often results from a stable, post-cold-frontal anticyclone approaching the barrier and being partially blocked (
see blocking) as it ascends the barrier, except for the flow through the gap or channel. The tehuantepecer of Central America is a well- known gap wind by this definition. These flows have sometimes been referred to as jet-effect wind and canyon wind.
Overland, J. E., and B. A. Walter 1981. Gap winds in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Mon. Wea. Rev.. 109. 2221.
A strong, low-level wind through either a relatively level channel between two mountain ranges or a gap in a mountain barrier; originally applied to strong (10–20 m s-1) easterly winds through the Strait of Juan de Fuca between the Olympic Mountains of western Washington State and the mountains of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
