Low Level Wind Shear
What is low level wind shear?
Low level wind shear is a sudden, drastic change in wind speed and/or direction occurring over a very small area near the ground. It can subject an aircraft to violent updrafts, downdrafts, and abrupt changes in horizontal movement. It is commonly associated with passing frontal systems, thunderstorms, and temperature inversions with strong upper-level winds (greater than 25 knots). On the test: link wind shear to fronts, thunderstorms, and inversions—and remember it's dangerous because the change is abrupt and unexpected.
Also known as: LLWS, wind shear
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