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wind shear
noun
: a radical shift in wind speed and direction that occurs over a very short distance
Examples of wind shear in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
La Niña historically enhances Atlantic hurricane activity by tamping down the vertical wind shear in the tropics.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 14 June 2024
Tornadoes remain a possibility overnight because of strong wind shear, instability in the atmosphere and high moisture, Gordon said.
—Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 26 May 2024
Despite plenty of bathtub warm water in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, upper-level winds, known as wind shear, are much too disruptive right now for any tropical systems to form in these areas, according to Jon Rizzo, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Key West, Florida.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN, 11 June 2024
This can create differences in air temperature, the researchers write, making wind shear more common.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for wind shear
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wind shear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1941, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near wind shear
Cite this Entry
“Wind shear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wind%20shear. Accessed 29 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
wind shear
noun
: a radical shift in wind speed and direction that occurs over a very short distance
More from Merriam-Webster on wind shear
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wind shear
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