Types of Winds and How They Affect You
Whenever a storm begins, it’s important to know the types of winds that will affect your location. Some of the types of winds include Tornadic, Straight-line, and Downdraft. You need to know these winds in order to have the best weather in your area.
Often mistaken for tornadoes, straight-line Wind storms can cause major property damage. The difference is that tornadoes are caused by rotating storms, while straight-line winds are caused by non-rotating thunderstorms.
Straight-line windstorms occur when cool, dry air builds up inside a thunderstorm. This creates a downdraft that shoots downward. The air moves at a rapid pace, reaching hurricane speeds.
When the winds hit the ground, they cause significant damage to homes, cars, and trees. They can also knock down power lines. The roofs of homes can also be torn off.
In the States, straight-line windstorms are responsible for about half of all severe weather reports. They are easy to identify from the sky, as they tend to be visible in a straight line.
Unlike tornadoes, straight-line windstorms are often not expected to collapse buildings. They also cause less damage. Nonetheless, they can be just as damaging as tornadoes, if not more so.
In some cases, straight-line winds can reach speeds of over 100 mph. The National Weather Service classifies a straight-line windstorm as a severe storm when the wind speeds reach 58 mph or more.
However, there are other ways to identify a straight-line wind storm. One way is by looking at the debris pattern. Debris that is stacked in parallel rows is a surefire sign of a straight-line windstorm.
Another way to tell if you are in a straight-line wind storm is by checking your tree. If a tree is downed or if a branch falls on a car, it is a good indication that the tree was hit by a straight-line wind. If you are outdoors, however, don’t go into trees, as they can be dangerous. Instead, seek shelter in an interior room away from windows.
During a wind storm, there are two types of damaging winds: downdrafts and tornadic winds. These two types of winds are different, but both can cause significant damage.
Downdrafts occur when a thunderstorm produces a strong downdraft. These winds are powerful and can extend over several miles. They can be as high as 60 mph. They are usually caused by a strong thunderstorm downburst. They can cause major damage to buildings, cars, and power lines.
Tornadic winds are very similar to downdrafts, but they are not caused by a thunderstorm downburst. They are whirling winds that pick up debris and dust. These winds can be as powerful as a tornado. They can reach speeds of 58 mph, which is quite dangerous. These winds can damage properties, especially in areas where people are elderly or physically handicapped.
These types of winds can occur anywhere, although they are especially dangerous when accompanied by a severe thunderstorm. They can cause major damage, including uprooted trees, power lines, and roofs. They can also cause flash floods and tornado-like damage.
Windstorms are often confused with tornadoes. Generally, tornadoes are caused by thunderstorm activity, while windstorms can be caused by a number of other weather conditions. Windstorms can occur during winter storms, coastal storms, and during severe thunderstorms.
During a severe thunderstorm, straight-line winds can form. These winds are generated by a strong downdraft within a thunderstorm. During a straight-line wind event, wind gusts can reach up to 100 mph. Most straight-line wind events produce winds of 60 mph or more.
Derechos are long-lasting windstorms that can be as destructive as a tornado. They usually develop multiple microbursts and can spread across wide areas. They can reach hurricane-force winds. Derechos have caused significant damage in cities.
During a windstorm, a downdraft can be very powerful. It can turn a hot day into a cold one or produce wind gusts so strong that it can take out trees and power lines. In fact, downdrafts can produce winds up to 100 mph, which is enough to cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time.
In a storm, a downdraft is formed when cool air sinks to the surface of the storm. Cool air has a higher relative humidity than warm air. In turn, it can cool the rain in the cloud to the point where it evaporates.
Downdrafts are very common during a warm season convective storm. They are caused by the frictional drag of falling precipitation particles. Eventually, they take over the cloud. They are the main mechanism for transporting cool, dry air.
