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Difluence

Meteorology DiffractionDimethyl sulfide

Difluence (or Diffluence) - A pattern of wind flow in which air moves outward (in a "fan-out" pattern) away from a central axis that is oriented parallel to the general direction of the flow. It is the opposite of confluence.

 


Difluence (or Diffluence ) - A pattern of wind flow in which the air spreads laterally in a fan-out pattern from a central axis oriented parallel to the flow along the axis.

Difluence in an upper level wind field is considered a favorable condition for severe thunderstorm development (if other parameters are also favorable). But difluence is not the same as divergence.

DIFLUENCE - Flow separation of a fluid stream away from the axis of the stream, like the water from a showerhead. Difluent jet stream winds over a thunderstorm can cause the storm updraft to strengthen and the storm to become more severe.

It is the opposite of difluence. Confluence is not the same as convergence. Winds often accelerate as they enter a confluent zone, resulting in speed divergence which offsets the (apparent) converging effect of the confluent flow.

See also: Divergence, Horizon, Confluence, Meteor, High