What is an Updraft?

An updraft is a current of rising air, often associated with thunderstorms. It is the opposite of a downdraft, which is a current of sinking air.

In a thunderstorm, warm air rises rapidly, creating an area of low pressure near the ground. This low pressure creates an updraft, which pulls more air upwards, creating a towering column of rising air. The updraft can carry water droplets and other particles high into the atmosphere, where they can form clouds and even produce lightning and thunder.

Updrafts are also found in other weather phenomena, such as wind shear and mountain waves. In these cases, the updraft is often weaker and less localized than in a thunderstorm, but it can still have a significant impact on the surrounding air and weather patterns.