microburst
noun
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Credit for the invention of the word microburst is generally given to tornado expert Tetsuya Theodore Fujita. Fujita first described these extremely intense wind patterns in 1974. He noted that microbursts are usually short-lived, lasting only 5 to 15 minutes, but that they are extremely dangerous, especially for aircraft, because they cause sudden unexpected changes in wind direction or speed. Since the mid-1970s, many airports have installed Doppler radar systems to help detect potentially deadly microbursts.
Examples of microburst in a Sentence
John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Mar. 2024
If these trees fall in a straight line, the damage might've been caused from a microburst.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Mar. 2024
The National Weather Service defines a microburst as a localized column of sinking air within a thunderstorm.
—Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 28 Feb. 2024
What's the difference between a tornado and a microburst?
—Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 28 Feb. 2024
But monsoons, which have capsized boats even larger than Salmon’s, are the biggest concern, the storms producing high winds and heavy rains and spawning microbursts that can generate sudden, tornado-like gusts of 75 to 80 mph.
—Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2023
During his around-the-world trek, Pinkney’s boat was knocked over by a microburst — a sudden current of air — and under certain conditions, a large wave could turn a trimaran over.
—Hayes Gardner, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2023
The National Weather Service initially thought the strong winds might have been a microburst, a violent downdraft within a thunderstorm that can cause extensive damage.
—Talia Lissauer, BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2023
Very localized downbursts — affecting parts of neighborhoods — are frequently called microbursts, whereas larger ones — that can cover miles — are referred to as macrobursts.
—Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 30 July 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'microburst.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near microburst
Cite this Entry
“Microburst.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microburst. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
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