Related Words

Downdraft: A sudden descent of cool or cold air to the ground, usually with precipitation, and associated with a thunderstorm or shower.

Plow Wind: The spreading downdraft and strong straight-line winds preceding a thunderstorm. So named in the American Midwest because of its ability to flatten tall grasses as it passes.

Thunderstorm: Produced by a cumulonimbus cloud, it is a microscale event of relatively short duration characterized by thunder, lightning, gusty surface winds, turbulence, hail, icing, precipitation, mode . . . View Full Definition

Outflow: Also referred to as an outflow boundary, it is the outward flow of air from a system, such as a thunderstorm. It is the result of cold downdrafts and its passage includes a wind shift and te . . . View Full Definition

Gust Front: The leading edge of the cool, gusty surface winds produced by thunderstorm downdrafts. Sometimes confused with an outflow boundary.

Downburst: A severe localized downdraft from a thunderstorm or shower. This outward burst of cool or colder air creates damaging winds at or near the surface. Sometimes the damage resembles tornadic damage.

First Gust: Another name for the initial wind surge observed at the surface as the result of downdrafts forming the leading edge or gust front of a thunderstorm.

Bubble High: A small high that may be created by precipitation and vertical instability associated with thunderstorm activity. A product of downdrafts, it is relatively cold and often has the characteris . . . View Full Definition