Micro-bursts are sudden and powerful yet brief bursts of wind that can cause severe damage. There are several synonyms for micro-bursts, including downbursts, gust fronts, and squalls. Downbursts are intense outbursts of air from the base of a cloud, while gust fronts are leading edges of thunderstorms. Squalls are brief, violent gusts of wind that usually accompany a storm. Other synonyms for micro-bursts include blow down, wind shear, and straight-line winds. It is important to be aware of these different terms to better understand weather patterns and prepare for potential damage caused by these sudden bursts of wind.