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 conditions, which are set to arrive this summer, decrease vertical wind shear and increase favorable conditions for hurricanes.
—
Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2024
There is also very low wind shear right now in the Gulf.
—Jennifer Gray, CNN, 21 Aug. 2023
That quick change, forecasters say, will reduce disruptive wind speeds over the Atlantic basin, a phenomenon called wind shear, though the speed of the transition could drive up storm activity in the Atlantic.
—Brian Bushard, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
This sudden mid-air jolt is caused by wind shear created by the jet stream, specifically the polar front jet stream in northern latitudes.
—Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 5 Sep. 2023
The weather phenomenon results in less wind shear in the Atlantic Ocean, and typically makes for a more active hurricane season.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024
Severe weather kills 3, Air Force Two diverted to DC-area airport due to wind shear
In Jonesboro, Georgia, a tree fell on the windshield of a car on Tuesday, killing the driver, according to the Clayton County Police Department.
—Victoria Arancio, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2024
This was due to some uncertainty in where necessary ingredients like warmth, moisture and wind shear (winds changing speed and direction with height) will overlap to bring the greatest threat.
—Kathryn Prociv, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2024
Whereas El Niño tends to create wind shear in the Atlantic, which beats down hurricanes, La Niña reduces wind shear.
—Matt Simon, WIRED, 15 Feb. 2024
Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2024
There is also very low wind shear right now in the Gulf.
—Jennifer Gray, CNN, 21 Aug. 2023
That quick change, forecasters say, will reduce disruptive wind speeds over the Atlantic basin, a phenomenon called wind shear, though the speed of the transition could drive up storm activity in the Atlantic.
—Brian Bushard, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
This sudden mid-air jolt is caused by wind shear created by the jet stream, specifically the polar front jet stream in northern latitudes.
—Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 5 Sep. 2023
The weather phenomenon results in less wind shear in the Atlantic Ocean, and typically makes for a more active hurricane season.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024
Severe weather kills 3, Air Force Two diverted to DC-area airport due to wind shear
In Jonesboro, Georgia, a tree fell on the windshield of a car on Tuesday, killing the driver, according to the Clayton County Police Department.
—Victoria Arancio, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2024
This was due to some uncertainty in where necessary ingredients like warmth, moisture and wind shear (winds changing speed and direction with height) will overlap to bring the greatest threat.
—Kathryn Prociv, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2024
Whereas El Niño tends to create wind shear in the Atlantic, which beats down hurricanes, La Niña reduces wind shear.
—Matt Simon, WIRED, 15 Feb. 2024
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 16 Apr. 2024.
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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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