Plain English Meaning

Air that is moving downward. When an aircraft flies through it, the air is sinking, which tends to take the aircraft down with it.

Full Definition

Columns or currents of air moving downward relative to the ground. In aviation weather, downdrafts are areas where air is descending, often associated with thunderstorms, mountain lee sides, or rapidly cooling air, and they can push an aircraft toward the ground faster than it would normally descend.

Context Anchor

Pilots consider downdrafts when evaluating weather, terrain, and other environmental conditions before and during a flight.

Derivation

From 'down' (toward the ground) and 'draft' (a current or flow of air, from Old English 'dragan' meaning to draw or pull). A downdraft is literally air being drawn downward.