What is outflow boundry?

An outflow boundary is a meteorological term that refers to the horizontal leading edge of a thunderstorm's gust front. It is a type of boundary that forms along the edges of thunderstorms where cool, dry air is forced out of the storm and into the surrounding atmosphere, creating a sudden shift in weather conditions.

Outflow boundaries are often visible on radar images and can be seen as a line of thunderstorms that forms ahead of the storm's primary precipitation area. These boundaries can move quickly and often result in strong gusts of wind, sometimes reaching speeds of up to 60 mph. They can also cause sudden changes in temperature, humidity, and air pressure.

In some cases, outflow boundaries can trigger the formation of additional thunderstorms, particularly when they encounter warm, moist air. They can also be associated with severe weather events, such as tornadoes, hail, and damaging straight-line winds.

Overall, understanding the behavior and characteristics of outflow boundaries is important for meteorologists and weather forecasters, as they play a key role in the development and movement of thunderstorms and other weather systems.