SUDDEN DOWNDRAFT Meaning and
Definition
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Sudden downdraft is a term used in meteorology and aviation to describe a rapid and forceful downward flow of air that occurs unexpectedly and abruptly. It is often associated with convective weather systems, such as thunderstorms, and can pose a significant hazard to aircraft, particularly during takeoff and landing.
In a sudden downdraft, a column of air rapidly descends from higher altitudes towards the surface of the Earth. These downdrafts can be triggered by a variety of atmospheric conditions, including the presence of a strong thunderstorm cell, rapid cooling of the air, or the downdraft's interaction with local terrain features.
The effects of a sudden downdraft can be highly significant and challenging for pilots to handle. As the descending air encounters the ground, it spreads out horizontally in all directions, causing a phenomenon known as a downburst. Downbursts can generate intense, straight-line winds that can reach speeds of over 100 miles per hour, posing a severe risk to aviation by causing sudden and drastic changes in wind direction and speed.
The sudden downdraft can be particularly hazardous during the approach or departure phases of flight, as it can cause a rapid loss of altitude and airspeed. In severe cases, these downdrafts have been responsible for numerous aircraft accidents, making it crucial for pilots to exercise caution and be prepared for such weather conditions.
Overall, a sudden downdraft is a powerful downward movement of air that can occur unexpectedly and rapidly, posing a hazard to aviation due to the associated downbursts and resulting strong winds.
Common Misspellings for SUDDEN DOWNDRAFT
- audden downdraft
- zudden downdraft
- xudden downdraft
- dudden downdraft
- eudden downdraft
- wudden downdraft
- sydden downdraft
- shdden downdraft
- sjdden downdraft
- sidden downdraft
- s8dden downdraft
- s7dden downdraft
- susden downdraft
- suxden downdraft
- sucden downdraft
- sufden downdraft
- surden downdraft
- sueden downdraft
- sudsen downdraft
- sudxen downdraft
Etymology of SUDDEN DOWNDRAFT
The etymology of the phrase "sudden downdraft" can be traced by examining the origins of its constituent words:
1. Sudden: The word "sudden" comes from the Middle English word "sodeyn", which means unexpected or occurring without warning. It can be further traced back to the Old French word "soudain".
2. Downdraft: "Downdraft" is a compound word consisting of "down" and "draft".
- "Down" comes from the Old English word "dune", meaning downward or descending. It is related to the Old Norse word "dúnn" and the Dutch word "dun".
- "Draft" is derived from the Middle English word "draught" or "drait", which refers to a current of air or water moving in a specific direction.
