Spindrift states: Force 8, defined as "Gale". Wind speed 39-46 mph, equal to 34-40 knots. Inland, twigs break off trees; progress generally impeded. At sea, moderately high waves of greater length; edges of crests begin to break into spindrift; foam is blown in well-marked streaks along the direction of the wind. Relatedly, "spindrift" can also be used to describe fine sand or snow that is blown off by the wind. "Spindrift" is a southern English word, "Spoondrift" a northern or Scottish word. The Scottish word "spoondrift" can be used to describe fine snow that is blown off the hills by the
Wind atmosphere near upper level jets and frontal zones aloft. Wind shear itself is a microscale meteorological phenomenon occurring over a very small distance, but it can be associated with mesoscale or synoptic scale weather features such as squall lines and cold fronts. It is commonly observed near microbursts and downbursts caused by thunderstorms, weather fronts, areas of locally higher low level winds referred to as low level jets, near mountains, radiation inversions that occur because of clear skies and calm winds, buildings, wind turbines, and sailboats. Wind shear has a significant effect on the control of aircraft during take-off and