In the context of meteorology, microbursts and macrobursts refer to types of downdrafts associated with thunderstorms that can produce localized and intense wind damage.
Microbursts:
- Definition: A microburst is a small, intense downdraft that descends from a thunderstorm and spreads out in an explosive manner at the surface.
- Size: Typically less than 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) in diameter.
- Duration: Generally lasts a few minutes, usually between 5 to 15 minutes.
- Wind Speeds: Can produce winds in excess of 100 mph (160 km/h) concentrated in a small area.
- Impact: The intense winds can cause significant damage, uprooting trees, damaging buildings, and creating hazardous conditions for aircraft during takeoff and landing.
Macrobursts:
- Definition: A macroburst is a larger downdraft, which is also associated with thunderstorms but affects a wider area and has a longer duration than a microburst.
- Size: Can be greater than 2.5 miles in diameter, often exceeding 10 miles (16 kilometers).
- Duration: Typically lasts longer than a microburst, often up to 30 minutes or more.
- Wind Speeds: While wind speeds can be similarly intense (sometimes over 100 mph), the wind damage is more widespread compared to microbursts.
- Impact: Macrobursts can cause extensive wind damage over a larger area, similar to that of a tornado.
Both microbursts and macrobursts can be hazardous, especially in aviation, due to the sudden changes in wind direction and speed they can produce. Detection and warnings are crucial for minimizing their impact.