What is a Microburst? - National Weather Service
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 …
Microburst | Downburst, Wind Shear, Turbulence | Britannica
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 …
What is a microburst? | WUSF
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 …
What Is A Microburst, And How Is It Caused? - Own Your Weather
Sep 19, 2025 · 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 …
Microbursts: What Makes Them So Dangerous? - Pilot Institute
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 …
What Is a Microburst? Farmers' Almanac Weather
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 …
How Does a Microburst Form and What Causes One?
Dec 4, 2025 · A microburst is an intense, localized column of sinking air that develops within a thunderstorm. This phenomenon is relatively small, typically less than 2.5 miles in diameter, …
What Is A Microburst? — Definition, Types, And More - TRVST
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 …
What is a 'microburst'? The science behind the winds during …
May 30, 2025 · So, what exactly is a microburst? It occurs when a localized area of sinking air develops within a thunderstorm. In this case, the sinking motion was triggered by extremely …
Microburst and Macroburst – Understanding Downbursts
Jun 22, 2024 · Microbursts: These are small downbursts with an affected area less than or equal to 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) in diameter. Despite their size, microbursts produce intense winds …