What is a macro burst? WDRB meteorologist Hannah Strong explains Wednesday’s damage in Kentucky | news

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – The National Weather Service is on Thursday investigating damage in Marion, Taylor and Casey counties caused by strong storms on Wednesday night. In a preliminary report, they found wind speeds of 85-90 mph caused by a macroburst.

The particular damage they found was caused by high winds, not a tornado. A macroburst is a strong gust of wind pouring out of a thunderstorm. When that wind hits the ground, it can only go outside, just like what happens when you dump a bucket of water on the sidewalk.

This wind then fans out from the center of the macroburst, dealing damage.

You may have heard our meteorologists use terms like “downburst”, “downdraft” or “microburst”. These are all in the same category of strong winds pouring down from a thunderstorm. This was dubbed a “macroburst” because the wind field, or damage, spread over a relatively large area.

Watch WDRB meteorologist Hannah Strong demonstrate a macro burst in the video above.

Copyright 2022 WDRB Media. All rights reserved.

About Mike Crayton

Check Also

Football meteorology for 2021 NFL week 17

Last week: 11-5 straight ahead, not bad considering the turbulent week. 149-88 for the season. …