Sudden or rapid changes in the wind direction or speed may occur without warning and are known as windshears. Often windshears are found near thunderstorms or where there are abrupt changes in the temperature, known as temperature inversions. A windshear can cause the plane to exceed the critical angle of attack, resulting in a loss of lift; this will cause the plane to stall.

A stall can occur at any altitude and in any direction. If, for example, the plane were flying with a tailwind or headwind, a windshear would result if the wind suddenly became still or moved in the opposite direction.

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Curator: Tom.Benson@grc.nasa.gov
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