A microburst is a localized column of sinking air (downdraft) within a thunderstorm and is usually less than or equal to 2.5 miles in diameter. Microbursts can cause extensive damage at the surface, and …

Feb 15, 2025 · During a thunderstorm, you might experience a powerful blast of air rushing straight down, slamming into the ground, and spreading out in all directions. That’s a microburst. They’re …

A microburst is defined as a powerful localized downdraft created by a column of fast-sinking air through the base of a storm cloud, which spreads out horizontally upon hitting the surface.

Jun 19, 2025 · With a dry microburst, all of the precipitation evaporates before the column of descending air reaches the ground. This makes them particularly dangerous, because they can be hard to see.

Microburst, pattern of intense winds that descends from rain clouds, hits the ground, and fans out horizontally. Microbursts are short-lived, usually lasting from about 5 to 15 minutes, and they are …

Oct 13, 2025 · Air descends rapidly toward the ground from a strong shower or thunderstorm and spreads out in all directions when it hits the earth. Winds can reach 100 miles per hour. Microbursts …

Jul 24, 2025 · A downburst of winds from a decaying thunderstorm is considered a “microburst” if the width of the damaging winds is 2.5 miles or less, with winds that persist for 15 minutes or less.

Oct 14, 2025 · But what is a microburst? A microburst happens when there is a rapid descent of cold and dense air at the core of the thunderstorm. This happens if the thunderstorm draws in dry air from …

Oct 1, 2025 · Microbursts are caused by downdrafts within a thunderstorm. During a storm, air and water droplets become suspended in an updraft high up in the clouds. The stronger the updraft is, the …

A microburst is essentially a smaller-scale downdraft with significant destructive potential. These microbursts involve a burst of sinking air that drops from the heart of a thunderstorm toward the ground.