What is another word for sudden downdrafts?
Pronunciation: [sˈʌdən dˈa͡ʊndɹafts] (IPA) 
Sudden downdrafts can be described using a variety of synonyms such as air pocket, air turbulence, gust front, wind shear or microburst. An air pocket refers to a sudden change in air pressure that causes a quick drop in altitude for the aircraft. Air turbulence is the sudden movement of air in different directions and is often accompanied by strong gusts of wind. Gust front is a line of thunderstorms that produces downdrafts and strong winds. Wind shear is a shift in wind direction that leads to changes in altitude and airspeed. A microburst is a localized downdraft that causes wind gusts to change direction suddenly.
