Explaining Straight Line Winds

news image
Top Stories
8 Jul 2020 7:00 PM
https://youtu.be/ey-032W0t3c When there’s a threat for severe thunderstorms for your area, the most common danger is straight-line winds, also known as downbursts. The process starts with air rising within the strong updraft of a storm.  It then cools, condenses, and as a result tiny drops of water form. The droplets increase in size and then combine with others, eventually becoming too heavy.  Then, these droplets fall toward the surface within a pocket of cold air. https://twitter.com/i/status/1269396901574524928 After the air hits the ground, it compresses and forces the winds to increase very quickly outward sometimes exceeding 165 miles per hour! Damaging winds come in many different forms including small scale microbursts, broad spanning derechos, and even haboobs associated with drier thunderstorms.  https://twitter.com/i/status/1015059936554831872 Downbursts are different from winds associated with a tornado.  Instead of winds flowing out of the storm, with a tornado winds flow into it.  After the storm, local national weather service offices will conduct storm surveys to look for circulation to determine if it was a straight line wind event or a tornado. https://twitter.com/i/status/996942974368935937 But remember – it’s not the wind itself that can be deadly, it is what is in the wind that’s dangerous.  That’s why it’s always important to stay weather aware and be prepared whenever severe weather threatens your community. https://twitter.com/i/status/1248377651879759874    
All Weather News
More
Wet Pattern for the NW Continues

Wet Pattern for the NW Continues

A wet pattern is shaping up for the Northwest

18 Oct 2025 3:05 AM
Strong Fall Front Fires Up Severe Chances This Weekend

Strong Fall Front Fires Up Severe Chances This Weekend

October has been relatively quiet in terms of

18 Oct 2025 3:00 AM
Next Wave in the Atlantic to Watch

Next Wave in the Atlantic to Watch

As the Atlantic hurricane season enters its f

18 Oct 2025 2:55 AM
NOAA Releases Outlook for Winter 25-26'

NOAA Releases Outlook for Winter 25-26'

Ready for another La Niña winter? NOAA quietl

18 Oct 2025 2:00 AM
Ridge Riding Thunderstorms in the Western Plains

Ridge Riding Thunderstorms in the Western Plains

A ridge of high pressure has been responsible

17 Oct 2025 3:00 AM
Sierra to the Rockies: Flooding Rain & Heavy Snow

Sierra to the Rockies: Flooding Rain & Heavy Snow

As of Wednesday, all evacuation orders have b

15 Oct 2025 1:45 PM
October Nor'easter Wrapping Up For the Atlantic

October Nor'easter Wrapping Up For the Atlantic

A low-pressure system that has tracked up the

14 Oct 2025 1:25 PM