WW2010
University of Illinois

Helper Menu
 
exit helper
 
helper page
 
more detail

.
Macrobursts
downburst greater than 2.5 miles in diameter

[Image: shelf cloud accopanying a macroburst (60K)]
Photograph by: Moller

A downburst is a strong downdraft which includes an outburst of potentially damaging winds on or near the ground and if the diameter of the downburst is greater than 2.5 miles, then it is called a macroburst. As a macroburst or a non-severe gust front passes overhead, the ragged, concave-shaped underside of the shelf cloud accompanies the onset of cold outflow winds at the ground.


Terms for using data resources. CD-ROM available.
Credits and Acknowledgments for WW2010.
Department of Atmospheric Sciences (DAS) at
the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.