NWS: Storm Near Fredericksburg Believed to be Microburst

The National Weather Service said Monday that the storm that ripped through Spotsylvania County Sunday was believed to be a microburst. 

What’s a microburst?

According to NWS: “A microburst is a convective downdraft with an affected outflow area of less than two-and-a-half miles wide and peak winds lasting less than five minutes." 

A microburst can induce , said NWS, which can affect aircraft performance and cause property damage.

The straight-line winds differentiate a microburst from tornadic winds.

NWS said in a statement Monday that the information is preliminary and could change pending final review of the weather event.

The storm blew through the area at 5:20 p.m. on Sunday according to the NWS report.

With westerly winds of 80 miles per hour,—Sunday, said NWS. 

“The most significant damage occurred on ” said NWS in the release. “ and the cinderblock walls collapsed.”

The storm took no lives but did cause seven injuries. All seven injuries came from the gym, .

“The roof of the gym was thrown east onto a home next door causing considerable damage to the home there,” said NWS. “A few other nearby buildings in this industrial area on Fleming Street had roofing, window and siding damage.”

NWS said the huge winds damaged trees and power lines.

“All of the damage surveyed was consistent with winds from a microburst produced by a severe thunderstorm moving through the area,” said NWS. “