What is a wind shear hazard and where is it most likely to occur near airports?

• A. A sudden change in wind speed or direction with height; most hazardous near weather fronts, behind thunderstorm outflows, and at low levels near runways
• B. A gradual decrease in wind speed with height that is rarely hazardous
• C. A constant wind with height
• D. A temperature inversion with no wind shear

Answer: (D)

Wind shear hazard is a sudden change in wind speed or direction with height. This sharp vertical wind gradient can catch an aircraft off guard, especially during takeoff and landing when you’re flying close to the ground and have less time to adjust.

Near airports, the most dangerous wind shear occurs at low levels around the runways and in the vicinity of weather systems. This includes changes in wind behind thunderstorm outflows, gust fronts, and fronts such as cold fronts, where rapid shifts in wind can occur over a short vertical distance. A temperature inversion by itself does not create wind shear; if the wind profile doesn’t change with height, there’s no wind shear even though the temperature structure might be inverted.