Before the 1990s, plane crashes caused by microbursts used to kill planeloads of people fairly regularly.
Dr. Ted Fujita and NCAR scientists figured out how to detect microbursts and warn pilots about them.
Since then? Zero airliner crashes from microbursts.
Dr. Ted Fujita and NCAR scientists figured out how to detect microbursts and warn pilots about them.
Since then? Zero airliner crashes from microbursts.
Exclusive: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, according to a senior White House official, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
Trump moves to dismantle major US climate research center in Colorado
The Trump administration is breaking up the National Center for Atmospheric Research, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
bit.ly
December 17, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Before the 1990s, plane crashes caused by microbursts used to kill planeloads of people fairly regularly.
Dr. Ted Fujita and NCAR scientists figured out how to detect microbursts and warn pilots about them.
Since then? Zero airliner crashes from microbursts.
Dr. Ted Fujita and NCAR scientists figured out how to detect microbursts and warn pilots about them.
Since then? Zero airliner crashes from microbursts.
What you're seeing are wet microbursts—intense downdrafts from thunderstorms that slam rain into the ground, creating those stunning lobes. Like a reverse explosion from the sky. Captured in Perth, #Australia
April 15, 2025 at 8:49 PM
What you're seeing are wet microbursts—intense downdrafts from thunderstorms that slam rain into the ground, creating those stunning lobes. Like a reverse explosion from the sky. Captured in Perth, #Australia
Fun fact, NOAA was partially founded because the US government was losing millions in military aircraft because planes just kept crashing after take off. Ted Fujita (creator of the Fujita scale) discovered it was because they kept launching their planes into microbursts.
March 4, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Fun fact, NOAA was partially founded because the US government was losing millions in military aircraft because planes just kept crashing after take off. Ted Fujita (creator of the Fujita scale) discovered it was because they kept launching their planes into microbursts.
Panorama image of one of the wildest microbursts I've ever seen, with a haboob marching up alongside it.
April 26, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Panorama image of one of the wildest microbursts I've ever seen, with a haboob marching up alongside it.
Only in Australia would this be referred to "microbursts." Any other place would have a name more in apocalyptic terms.
Pretty amazing.
Pretty amazing.
April 15, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Only in Australia would this be referred to "microbursts." Any other place would have a name more in apocalyptic terms.
Pretty amazing.
Pretty amazing.
I mean, yea... Microbursts are a thing. Don't know why this qualifies as national news.
August 8, 2025 at 3:14 PM
I mean, yea... Microbursts are a thing. Don't know why this qualifies as national news.
Take these microbursts seriously today. Localized 50-60+ mph gusts moving through parts of northern Colorado right now.
August 9, 2026 at 10:37 PM
Take these microbursts seriously today. Localized 50-60+ mph gusts moving through parts of northern Colorado right now.
We have microbursts. But that video looks next level - that's like an avalanche of cascading microbursts. Wild.
April 16, 2025 at 3:08 AM
We have microbursts. But that video looks next level - that's like an avalanche of cascading microbursts. Wild.
The soft gurgles
shared at 2 am
are long gone
Trickles of first words
halting, miraculous
followed in their wake
Replaced by whitewater
narrative torrents
microbursts of feeling
And I nod along
even though, my love,
I don’t understand a word
shared at 2 am
are long gone
Trickles of first words
halting, miraculous
followed in their wake
Replaced by whitewater
narrative torrents
microbursts of feeling
And I nod along
even though, my love,
I don’t understand a word
May 24, 2026 at 9:45 AM
The soft gurgles
shared at 2 am
are long gone
Trickles of first words
halting, miraculous
followed in their wake
Replaced by whitewater
narrative torrents
microbursts of feeling
And I nod along
even though, my love,
I don’t understand a word
shared at 2 am
are long gone
Trickles of first words
halting, miraculous
followed in their wake
Replaced by whitewater
narrative torrents
microbursts of feeling
And I nod along
even though, my love,
I don’t understand a word
At least four storms known as “microbursts” ripped through parts of Philadelphia and Montgomery County, downing trees and power lines and causing electrical outages and road closures.
Mayor Cherelle Parker declared a disaster emergency as Philly cleans up from ‘microbursts’ that downed trees and cut power
www.inquirer.com
July 12, 2026 at 6:37 PM
At least four storms known as “microbursts” ripped through parts of Philadelphia and Montgomery County, downing trees and power lines and causing electrical outages and road closures.
8:05p: Gusty 40+ mph dry microbursts moving through the Denver area right now as these thundershowers die out around the metro area:
#COwx
#COwx
September 12, 2025 at 2:08 AM
8:05p: Gusty 40+ mph dry microbursts moving through the Denver area right now as these thundershowers die out around the metro area:
#COwx
#COwx
While Perth experiences microbursts, #Denver, #Colorado is known for its landspout #tornadoes. Unlike traditional tornadoes, landspouts form from thunderstorms but can still generate huge columns reaching up to the sky. They lack a supercell structure but can still cause significant local damage
April 16, 2025 at 9:08 PM
While Perth experiences microbursts, #Denver, #Colorado is known for its landspout #tornadoes. Unlike traditional tornadoes, landspouts form from thunderstorms but can still generate huge columns reaching up to the sky. They lack a supercell structure but can still cause significant local damage
41 planes - 41! - waiting to take off as nasty 50-60 mph microbursts rock @DENAirport.
This is why friends don’t let friends fly in/out of Denver on summer afternoons unless they have to…
#COwx
This is why friends don’t let friends fly in/out of Denver on summer afternoons unless they have to…
#COwx
July 8, 2025 at 9:45 PM
41 planes - 41! - waiting to take off as nasty 50-60 mph microbursts rock @DENAirport.
This is why friends don’t let friends fly in/out of Denver on summer afternoons unless they have to…
#COwx
This is why friends don’t let friends fly in/out of Denver on summer afternoons unless they have to…
#COwx
Glimpses, microbursts, and microdoses
September 4, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Glimpses, microbursts, and microdoses
My mom had dementia. She slept in microbursts throughout the day and was up all night. Sound familiar?
May 6, 2026 at 5:53 PM
My mom had dementia. She slept in microbursts throughout the day and was up all night. Sound familiar?
These microbursts have been going on for weeks in South East Queensland, Xmas present for the tourists
December 25, 2025 at 9:18 PM
These microbursts have been going on for weeks in South East Queensland, Xmas present for the tourists
🌡️ More record heat: Temps will top out in the upper 90s in Denver, likely breaking the daily record (98°, 2021). More dry microbursts likely 3-8p, with localized 40-50 mph gusts, lightning, and brief showers.
🌦️ Gradual cooldown this week with storms returning also.
#COwx
🌦️ Gradual cooldown this week with storms returning also.
#COwx
August 9, 2026 at 12:20 PM
🌡️ More record heat: Temps will top out in the upper 90s in Denver, likely breaking the daily record (98°, 2021). More dry microbursts likely 3-8p, with localized 40-50 mph gusts, lightning, and brief showers.
🌦️ Gradual cooldown this week with storms returning also.
#COwx
🌦️ Gradual cooldown this week with storms returning also.
#COwx
April 7, 2026 at 10:14 PM
"The private sector can..." The private sector, by design, must cut corners to maximize profit. There is no universe where the private sector will provide more timely or useful data to as wide of variety of places as the NOAA does today.
Imagine critical NOTAMs about microbursts behind paywalls.
Imagine critical NOTAMs about microbursts behind paywalls.
March 3, 2025 at 9:03 PM
"The private sector can..." The private sector, by design, must cut corners to maximize profit. There is no universe where the private sector will provide more timely or useful data to as wide of variety of places as the NOAA does today.
Imagine critical NOTAMs about microbursts behind paywalls.
Imagine critical NOTAMs about microbursts behind paywalls.
🌡️ Hot and dry with another chance for dry microbursts after 2p: highs will be in the upper 90s again, with wind/lightning the main issues with any afternoon storm. Most stay dry.
🌧️ Similar tomorrow before monsoonal storms return Wednesday, much cooler later this week!
#COwx
🌧️ Similar tomorrow before monsoonal storms return Wednesday, much cooler later this week!
#COwx
August 10, 2026 at 12:11 PM
🌡️ Hot and dry with another chance for dry microbursts after 2p: highs will be in the upper 90s again, with wind/lightning the main issues with any afternoon storm. Most stay dry.
🌧️ Similar tomorrow before monsoonal storms return Wednesday, much cooler later this week!
#COwx
🌧️ Similar tomorrow before monsoonal storms return Wednesday, much cooler later this week!
#COwx
In case you want to share with your networks, this is a good article by the NYT on the broad scope of work done by NCAR and some of the key discoveries (e.g., microbursts and aviation accidents).
The Trump administration said it will be dismantling the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, one of the world’s leading Earth science research institutions.
National Center for Atmospheric Research to Be Dismantled, Trump Administration Says
Russell Vought, the White House budget director, called the laboratory a source of “climate alarmism.”
nyti.ms
December 17, 2025 at 5:04 PM
In case you want to share with your networks, this is a good article by the NYT on the broad scope of work done by NCAR and some of the key discoveries (e.g., microbursts and aviation accidents).
Much prefer tonight’s view from a distance as opposed to yesterday evening’s microbursts, but only because being a homeowner with century old trees overhead is a nail biter.
September 21, 2026 at 1:17 AM
Much prefer tonight’s view from a distance as opposed to yesterday evening’s microbursts, but only because being a homeowner with century old trees overhead is a nail biter.
This October, we’re falling into an exciting lineup of Explorer Series events! 🍂 From digging into microbursts to chasing eclipses, each event explores an exciting facet of what we do at NSF NCAR! Check out the events listed below and learn more here: https://bit.ly/4yX6bZJ
September 24, 2026 at 4:22 PM
This October, we’re falling into an exciting lineup of Explorer Series events! 🍂 From digging into microbursts to chasing eclipses, each event explores an exciting facet of what we do at NSF NCAR! Check out the events listed below and learn more here: https://bit.ly/4yX6bZJ