what is a squall

A squall is a sudden, sharp increase in wind speed lasting minutes, as opposed to a wind gust, which lasts for only seconds. It is usually associated with active weather, such as rain showers, thunderstorms, or heavy snow. Squalls can be named for the weather phenomenon that accompanies them, such as rain, hail, or thunder. A squall can also refer to a sudden strong wind that increases by 16 knots and sustains 22 knots for at least a minute