Rajadas

Rajadas is the plural of rajada, a meteorological term used in Portuguese and Spanish to describe gusts of wind — brief, sudden increases in wind speed that rise above the prevailing mean wind. The noun rajada comes from a word meaning a sudden blow or burst; in everyday usage it can refer to a short-lived forceful wind, a gust in weather reports.

In weather forecasts and bulletins, rajadas are reported as peak gust speeds, typically measured in kilometers per hour or meters per second, and are distinguished from sustained winds.

Characteristics: They last from a few seconds to about a minute and can be influenced by atmospheric instability, terrain, and weather systems such as cold fronts or thunderstorms. The gust factor — the ratio between gust speed and sustained wind — commonly ranges around 1.2 to 1.5, though higher values occur in strong convective events.

Impacts and contexts: Rajadas affect aviation, maritime operations, construction, and outdoor activities. They can cause sudden changes in loads on structures and soil, and rough seas for vessels.

Geographic usage: The term is widely used in Portugal and Brazil in Portuguese, and in many Spanish-language countries; equivalent terms in English include gusts of wind.