What is a microburst?

A microburst is defined as small scale intense downdrafts that occur during thunderstorms, where the descending air rapidly spreads outward in all directions upon reaching the ground. This phenomenon is characterized by a strong and localized vertical wind shear, leading to very powerful winds that can cause extensive damage in a small area, roughly extending to 2.5 miles in diameter. Understanding microbursts is crucial for aviation safety, as they can pose significant risks during takeoff and landing phases.

The other options provided do not accurately describe a microburst. A large scale wind pattern causing turbulence refers more to phenomena like jet streams or cyclones rather than the localized nature of microbursts. A type of seasonal storm with heavy rainfall might describe events such as monsoons or tropical storms, which are much broader in scale and different in mechanics. A sudden increase in temperature affecting atmospheric pressure is associated with different weather phenomena and doesn't capture the essence of what a microburst is.