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How strong can the downdrafts in a microburst be?

Up to about 6,000 feet per minute, more than most small airplanes can climb.

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  1. Up to about 500 feet per minute
  2. Up to about 60,000 feet per minute
  3. Up to about 6,000 feet per minute ✔

Why: A typical microburst is less than 2.5 miles across. It lasts about 5 to 15 minutes, and in that time it can make downdrafts of up to 6,000 feet per minute and big headwind changes.

Huh, didn't know that: If one microburst has been seen, pilots should watch for more, since several can come from the same weather system.

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A microburst is the sky's way of saying 'surprise!' in the least fun way possible.
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References

Answer: Up to about 6,000 feet per minute. A typical microburst is less than 2.5 miles across. It lasts about 5 to 15 minutes, and in that time it can make downdrafts of up to 6,000 feet per minute and big headwind changes.

  1. Aviation Weather Handbook FAA-H-8083-28B, Chapter 22 www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/FAA-H-8083-28B.pdf
    during which time it can produce downdrafts of up to 6,000 fpm
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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