Weather Blog: A Microburst Explained
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- On Wednesday, the National Weather Service assessed the storm damage from Tuesday in Middle Township, Cape May County. They determined the damage on Burleigh Road was from a microburst, not a tornado.
A microburst is simply a strong downdraft from a thunderstorm. The strong wind rushes downward, hits the ground and spreads out, causing the damage to be in a circular pattern. Microbursts can have winds as strong as weak tornadoes, affecting areas less than 2.5 miles and last less than 5 minutes.
PHOTOS: Severe Weather Causes Damage In Cape May County
Almost one year ago from Wednesday, similar storm damage occurred in East Greenwich Township, Gloucester County. This wind damage was classified as a macroburst. A macroburst is the same as a microburst but only larger, affecting areas greater than 2.5 miles and lasts between 5-20 minutes.