What is a Microburst?
A microburst is a localized column of sinking air (downdraft) within a thunderstorm and is usually less than or equal to 2.5 miles in diameter. Microbursts can cause extensive damage at the surface. There are two primary types of microbursts: 1) wet microbursts and 2) dry microbursts.
Wet microbursts are accompanied by significant precipitation and are common in the during the summer months