What Is Downburst?
A powerful rush of air that slams down out of a thunderstorm and spreads out along the ground, causing damage that can be as bad as a weak tornado. In technical terms: A strong convective downdraft producing an outburst of damaging winds at or near the surface; microbursts affect areas under 4 km across for 2-5 minutes, macrobursts larger areas; driven by evaporative cooling, precipitation loading and melting.
Also called: Microburst, Macroburst
Downburst In Plain English
A powerful rush of air that slams down out of a thunderstorm and spreads out along the ground, causing damage that can be as bad as a weak tornado.
The Technical Definition
A strong convective downdraft producing an outburst of damaging winds at or near the surface; microbursts affect areas under 4 km across for 2-5 minutes, macrobursts larger areas; driven by evaporative cooling, precipitation loading and melting. Winds can exceed 100 mph.
Lessons That Use Downburst
- Sunlight, Radiation And The Energy Budget Unit 2: Energy And The Sun
- The Life Of A Thunderstorm Unit 7: Thunderstorms And Lightning
