Straight line winds carry far more force than your average breezy day. These powerful winds often accompany thunderstorms and can cause extensive damage, sometimes even resembling the aftermath of a tornado. Unlike the swirling winds of a tornado, straight line winds travel in a linear path. They are typically caused by downdrafts—a forceful rush of wind that descends from a thunderstorm and then spreads outward, generating the straight line effect. With speeds exceeding 100 mph, these winds have the potential to knock down power lines, uproot trees, and inflict structural harm on buildings. Following a storm, experts conduct damage assessments to distinguish between damage caused by straight line winds and that caused by tornadoes.
One notable weather event associated with straight line winds is a derecho, a prolonged episode of powerful, fast-moving straight line winds often linked to intense thunderstorms. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), derechos are characterized by a broad swath of wind damage extending over 240 miles, with gusts surpassing 58 mph. If an NWS warning highlights the risk of destructive straight line winds, it is crucial to treat the warning with the same urgency as a tornado alert and seek shelter promptly.
Jennifer Gray, an experienced weather and climate writer for weather.com, has been at the forefront of reporting on major weather events worldwide for over two decades.
