Wind shear is best described as which phenomenon?

Wind shear is best described as which phenomenon?

• A. A drastic change in wind speed or direction.
• B. A gradual, predictable wind gradient with height.
• C. A decrease in humidity with altitude.
• D. A smooth air mass.

Answer: (B)

Wind shear is the change in wind speed and/or direction over a distance in the atmosphere, especially as you move up or down in height. When we look at how wind behaves with altitude, a vertical wind gradient describes that change in velocity as height increases, which is exactly what wind shear measures. So describing wind shear as a gradual, predictable wind gradient with height captures the typical, ongoing variation pilots and observers monitor. Humidity changing with altitude or a perfectly uniform, calm air mass isn’t about how wind moves, and while a sudden, dramatic change can occur in strong shear events, the defining idea is the variation of wind with distance, particularly with height.

Wind shear is the change in wind speed and/or direction over a distance in the atmosphere, especially as you move up or down in height. When we look at how wind behaves with altitude, a vertical wind gradient describes that change in velocity as height increases, which is exactly what wind shear measures. So describing wind shear as a gradual, predictable wind gradient with height captures the typical, ongoing variation pilots and observers monitor. Humidity changing with altitude or a perfectly uniform, calm air mass isn’t about how wind moves, and while a sudden, dramatic change can occur in strong shear events, the defining idea is the variation of wind with distance, particularly with height.