downburst

downburst [doun-burst] Word Origin noun

1. a strong downward current of air from a cumulonimbus cloud, often associated with intense thunderstorms.

Origin of downburst down1 + burst British Dictionary definitions for downburst downburst noun

1. a very high-speed downward movement of turbulent air in a limited area for a short time. Near the ground it spreads out from its centre with high horizontal velocitiesAlso called: microburst

downburst in Science downburst [doun′bûrst′]

1. An extremely powerful downward air current from a cumulonimbus cloud, typically associated with thunderstorm activity. Downbursts can produce effects that resemble those brought about by tornadoes.