What qualifies as a "wind gust"?
Quick Answer: A wind gust is a sudden, brief increase in wind speed, usually lasting just a few seconds. It’s stronger than the steady wind at the time and often happens without warning.
Wind gusts happen because of changes in the air’s movement caused by things like obstacles, temperature shifts, or weather fronts. They can make the wind feel much stronger for a moment, even if the average wind is calm or moderate.
Meteorologists measure gusts as the peak wind speed recorded over a short period, typically 2 to 20 seconds. This helps capture those quick bursts that might affect driving, flying, or outdoor activities.