What is a downburst, and why do they happen in summer storms?

What is a downburst?

Wild Weather Caught on Cam on Instagram: "What you’re witnessing isn’t a tornado—it’s something just as powerful, but often misunderstood: a downburst. This rare weather phenomenon happens when a thunderstorm releases a mass of cold, heavy air that plunges toward the ground at terrifying speeds. When it hits, it explodes outward like an invisible bomb, flattening everything in its path. It can knock down trees, damage buildings, and even bring planes out of the sky. No swirling funnel. No warnin

What are downbursts and are they dangerous?

Two tornadoes and downburst winds cause damage in Northern California

EF-0 tornado damages 10 mobile homes near Ruskin

Downburst caused extensive storm damage in Hudson, Wis.