microburst

[ mahy-kruh-burst ]

noun

, Meteorology.

1. an intense, localized downdraft of air that spreads on the ground, causing rapid changes in wind direction and speed; a localized downburst.

microburst

/ ˈmaɪkrəʊˌbɜːst /

noun

1. See downburst
   another name for downburst

microburst

/ mī′krō-bûrst′ /

1. A sudden, violent downdraft of air over a small area (less than 16 sq km or 6.24 sq mi) that lasts at least 25 minutes. Microbursts can cause winds with speeds as high as 270 km (167 mi) per hour. They are difficult to detect and predict with standard weather instruments. They are especially hazardous to airplanes during landing or taking off.

Word History and Origins

Origin of microburst¹

First recorded in 1980–85; micro- + burst

Example Sentences

The unstable air fueled intense but short-lived storm updrafts that quickly paved the way for torrential downpours, concentrated cloud-to-ground lightning and the microbursts.

From Washington Post

Supercell storms may also draw down momentum from the fast winds aloft to the ground, creating localized pockets of straight-line wind damage, or microbursts, as noted above.

From Washington Post