Wind shear: what is it, how it occurs and effects

Shear (mostly known by its English name “Wind Shear”) is presented as a Strong change in the direction and/or the intensity of the wind in a plane and in short distances. This phenomenon occurs when adjacent air layers have a remarkable difference between their respective speeds. Hearing shear can demonstrate Horizontal way (HWS) or vertical (VWS)being the latter especially dangerous because it implies a change in the altitude of the aircraft in relation to the land. While it can occur at all levels of the atmosphere, it is risky for aviation below 2,000 feet.

The Wind Shear is the cause of turbulenceunderstanding it as sudden changes in wind components that cause swirls and erratic movements. Although shear can occur without turbulence being present, the opposite never happens.

Wind shear can be caused by several factors, including:

• Storm development: The formation of vertical development clouds, such as cumulonimbus, results in intense storms. The marked temperature differences within these storms cause strong and sudden wind bursts.
• Chorro currents (Jet stream): They are strong and narrow air currents concentrated along a horizontal axis in the upper part of the troposphere or in the stratosphere, which are characterized by a strong vertical and horizontal shear of the wind.
• Alisios and sea or mountain breezes winds: Sea breezes, which change direction between day and night due to temperature differences; And mountain breezes, which vary with the day and night cycles of heating and cooling of the slopes, can generate wind shear near coasts and mountainous areas. Likewise, the winds, constant in their direction, but susceptible to interactions with other weather systems, they can produce Wind Shear by finding air masses of different temperatures, affecting atmospheric stability in tropical and subtropical regions.
• Physical obstacles such as mountains and buildings: When the wind moves on or around obstacles such as mountains, buildings or other structures, abrupt changes can be produced in its speed and direction.
• Low altitudinal jets: The jet currents that are produced at low altitude can produce winds of high speeds at several kilometers above the ground.

Wind shear, can have significant impacts in various areas from aviation to weather and wind power generation. Next, some of the most important effects are described:

• Aviation: Wind shear is especially dangerous for aviation, since it can cause severe turbulence, affect the stability of aircraft and complicate take -off and landing maneuvers. Sudden changes in wind direction and speed can lead to unexpected altitude losses, increasing the risk of accidents. Pilots must be trained to recognize and manage these types of situations to guarantee flight safety. In recent years, measurement methods have been implemented for this phenomenon such as the “Llwas System” that is designed with the aim of detecting micro -trophies close to the track and low altitude shears. If the crew can visually identify the presence of vertical development clouds or if they find out through reports, they must be kept on alert and avoid performing maneuvers until the phenomenon culminates, but if it decides to continue with the flight or is faced with the Wind Shear, it must be prepared for the recovery phase that consists of retaking a flight condition after suffering a disturbance.
• Meteorological phenomena: In meteorology, wind shear plays a crucial role in the formation and development of severe weather phenomena. For example, the differences in wind speed and direction at different levels of the atmosphere can produce rotation in the upward currents of air, facilitating the formation of tornadoes and storms. In addition, it can produce changes in the intensity (increase or even decrease) of tropical hurricanes and cyclones.
• Wind energy production: Wind Shear can affect the efficiency of wind turbines, causing mechanical stress in these and thus reducing their useful life and efficiency.
• Construction and architecture: Wind shear can influence the design and construction of buildings and other high structures. Engineers should consider their effects to guarantee the stability and safety of structures, especially in areas prone to strong and changing winds.

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