Directory
References
downburst
meteorology
Learn about this topic in these articles:
thunderstorms
- In thunderstorm: Downbursts
Sometimes thunderstorms will produce intense downdrafts that create damaging winds on the ground. These downdrafts are referred to as macrobursts or microbursts, depending on their size. A macroburst is more than 4 km (2.5 miles) in diameter and can produce winds as high as…
Read More
tropical cyclones
- In tropical cyclone: Gusts, downbursts, and swirls
In addition to tornadoes, tropical cyclones generate other localized damaging winds. When a tropical cyclone makes landfall, surface friction decreases wind speed but increases turbulence; this allows fast-moving air aloft to be transported down to the surface, thereby increasing the strength of…
Read More