Downbursts and Microbursts

Shower and thunderstorm cells sometimes produce intense downdrafts called downbursts that create strong, often damaging winds. Smaller, shorter-lived downbursts are called microbursts.

A downburst is especially dangerous to airplanes when it is encountered when climbing from takeoff or approaching to land. During this phase, the aircraft is operating at relatively slow speeds. A major change of wind velocity can lead to loss of lift and a crash.