downburst

If this occurs, it can produce a “downburst” as cold, dense air descends rapidly out of the cloud.

Prosecutors said that they now believed a downburst was the weather phenomenon that hit the ship: a localised, powerful wind that descends from a thunderstorm and spreads unpredictably.

Italian authorities say a downburst was the most likely cause of the sinking of the Bayesian superyacht which led to the deaths of seven people.

A downburst occurs when air plummets downward from the base of the cloud - often in conjunction with a downpour of rain - producing a powerful wind gust that blows towards the ground.

But at a news conference on Saturday, officials said it was more likely that it was caused by a downburst - a localised gusty wind associated with thunderstorms.