derecho

American  

[duh-rey-choh] / dəˈreɪ tʃoʊ /

noun

plural

derechos

1. a widespread and severe windstorm that moves rapidly along a fairly straight path and is associated with bands of rapidly moving thunderstorms.

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Etymology

Origin of derecho

1885–90; < Spanish: straight < Old Spanish < Latin dīrēctus, dērēctus direct ( def. )

Explanation

A derecho is a powerful, widespread, fast-moving, and destructive system of storms with extremely high-speed, straight-line winds. A derecho produces a swath of wind damage more than 240 miles long, and has wind gusts of at least 58 miles per hour. The name of this severe weather event is derived from the Spanish word derecho, which means "straight." Unlike tornadoes and hurricanes, which have rotating winds, derechos have winds that blow in a straight line. These storm systems occur mainly in North America, especially in the central and eastern regions of the United States, but they have also been documented in Europe, Asia, and South America. Most derechos occur in the warmer months, from late spring through summer.

Example Sentences

Hizo planes para que Torres se sometiera a las pruebas y procedimientos que necesitaría para seguir teniendo derecho a los pagos por incapacidad.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2023

In 2020, a particularly powerful derecho -- a widespread, straight-line windstorm associated with fast-moving thunderstorms -- caused an estimated $11 billion in damage in the Midwest.

From Science Daily • Nov. 2, 2023

The resulting plants are about one-third shorter than normal, and less likely to fall over or snap in a derecho.

From Science Magazine • Oct. 25, 2023

Cedar Rapids has made the restoration of its tree canopy a priority since that storm, called a derecho, and will receive $6 million in funding through the new grants.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 14, 2023

It consists of sigue, para, derecho, mano, and silla.

From A Woman's Impression of the Philippines by Fee, Mary Helen