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
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Graham said that three factors informed the forecast: Warm sea-surface temperatures in the Atlantic Basin, a lack of wind shear over the region, and a forecast for strong African monsoons, which can roll off the continent and fuel tropical storms once over the Atlantic. Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2025 Atmospheric instability has two components: rising air and wind shear, which is created as wind speed changes with height. Shuang-Ye Wu, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2025 If rapid warming continues, Williams said, studies show vertical wind shear could increase 29 percent by 2100, or 17 percent if global emissions are halved by mid-century and keep dropping. ArsTechnica, 7 May 2025 In addition, strong wind shear led to a continuous supply of moisture into the storm systems, causing strong thunderstorms and dozens of tornadoes to form. Shuang-Ye Wu, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wind shear

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wind shear was in 1941

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wind shear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wind%20shear. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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

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