A description of the statistical character of subsurface current fluctuations at subtidal frequencies in the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia, is given. The description is based on cyclesonde profiles taken during spring 1981, fall 1981, and spring 1982. The fluctuations are most intense in the upper part of the water column (above approximately 180 m in about 300-m in about 300-m depth). The domminant period is between 10 and 25 days. Cross correlations between currents separated in the horizontal indicate a zero crossing at about 10 km. A comparison is made between the fall 1981 observations and a simple model of linear baroclinic instability. During this time period, there is evidence for upward phase propagation in agreement with the baroclinic instability. During this time period, there is evidence for upward phase propagation in agreement with the baroclinic instability model. The vertical structure of the current fluctuations can be explained well by three uncorrelated, empirical orthogonal modes. The first mode can be associated with the energy in the upper water column. The second and third modes account for the major part of the current variance at depth. The second and third appear dependent on topography; however, they do not show the alongshore phase propagation predicted for topographic waves. There are pronounced differences in the record mean estimates between the 1981 and 1982 observation periods. This result suggests that there may be important interannual variations in the subsurface currents in the central part of the Strait of Georgia.