Severe Storms
Downburst Explained: Destructive Thunderstorm Wind Without a Tornado
What downbursts are, how microbursts and macrobursts differ, and why straight-line wind damage can be severe even when no tornado occurred.
Quick answer: A downburst is a powerful rush of air descending from a thunderstorm and spreading outward when it hits the ground.
The wind pattern
Air accelerates downward inside a storm, then spreads out horizontally at the surface.
That spreading wind can knock down trees, damage roofs, and create dangerous crosswinds.
Microburst vs macroburst
A microburst is smaller in scale, while a macroburst covers a larger area. Both can be damaging.
Wet microbursts include heavy rain, while dry microbursts can occur with little rain reaching the ground.
Tornado confusion
Downburst damage can look dramatic and may be mistaken for tornado damage.
Survey teams look at damage patterns to distinguish converging tornado winds from outward straight-line winds.