In the form of a microburst--a small, powerful downward-and-outward burst of air, usually associated with thunderstorms--wind shear can prove extremely hazardous to aircraft, causing them to lose lift during critical periods of landing and takeoff. In this image, the rain shaft extending downward from the cumulonimbus cloud (right) suggests a strong downburst. Using the data from monitoring devices, controllers can alert pilots about areas of wind shear that should be avoided until conditions improve.
