What occurs during wet microbursts?

During wet microbursts, the phenomenon involves the interaction of dry air with saturated air, leading to rapid cooling. This cooling occurs as rain falls through the air, resulting in evaporation and cooling of the surrounding air. When this cooler, denser air descends rapidly, it can create strong downdrafts, which is characteristic of wet microbursts.

The presence of saturated air is crucial because it feeds into the dynamic of the event. As the rain evaporates, the process not only cools the air but also contributes to the momentum change that leads to the rapid downward movement of air. This is fundamentally different from a scenario where air remains dry or where there are no significant interactions between moist and dry air, as these would not produce the same dramatic effects seen with wet microbursts.

Overall, this interaction between saturated and dry air is what defines a wet microburst and distinguishes it from other weather phenomena.