SUDDEN DOWNDRAFTS Meaning and
Definition
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Sudden downdrafts refer to abrupt downward currents of air that occur within the Earth's atmosphere. These strong and usually unexpected downward gusts can be experienced in various weather conditions and geographical locations, occurring either alone or as a part of larger weather phenomena such as thunderstorms, microbursts, and wind shears.
These downdrafts typically result from the rapid cooling of air, which increases its density and causes it to sink rapidly towards the ground. Sudden downdrafts can pose significant risks, particularly to aviation and outdoor activities such as sailing, paragliding, and hiking, as they can create intense gusty winds that may exceed the normal wind speed by a considerable margin. The force of these downdrafts can lead to a sudden and dramatic loss of lift for aircraft, resulting in sudden altitude loss and turbulence.
Sudden downdrafts can also have severe impacts on the surface, causing strong and damaging winds at ground level. They can uproot trees, damage property, and be hazardous for those who are outdoors, causing unexpected changes in wind direction and speed. These downdrafts can be very localized in nature, with their intensity and duration varying greatly from one location to another.
Meteorologists and aviation authorities actively monitor and study sudden downdrafts to better understand their behavior and the risks associated with them. This knowledge aids in the development of warnings and safety measures to help minimize the potential impact and improve the overall safety of individuals and assets that may be affected by these sudden downward gusts of wind.
Common Misspellings for SUDDEN DOWNDRAFTS
- audden downdrafts
- zudden downdrafts
- xudden downdrafts
- dudden downdrafts
- eudden downdrafts
- wudden downdrafts
- sydden downdrafts
- shdden downdrafts
- sjdden downdrafts
- sidden downdrafts
- s8dden downdrafts
- s7dden downdrafts
- susden downdrafts
- suxden downdrafts
- sucden downdrafts
- sufden downdrafts
- surden downdrafts
- sueden downdrafts
- sudsen downdrafts
- sudxen downdrafts
Etymology of SUDDEN DOWNDRAFTS
The word "sudden" can be traced back to the Middle English word "sodain", which ultimately derives from the Old French word "soudain". In turn, "soudain" comes from the Latin word "subitānus", meaning "sudden" or "unforeseen".
The word "downdraft" consists of two parts. "Down" comes from the Old English word "dūne", meaning "downwards" or "from a higher to a lower place". "Draft" originates from the Middle English word "draught", which comes from the Old English word "dræht" and ultimately from the Old Norse word "drattr", meaning "pull".
Therefore, the phrase "sudden downdrafts" combines "sudden", meaning unexpected, with "downdraft", referring to a downward current of air.
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