Evaluation of Downburst Impact in the Electric Reliability of Transmission Line Spans Through Numerical Analysis

High Intensity Localized Winds (HILW), particularly downbursts, pose a critical threat to the integrity of overhead transmission systems, often triggering network failures and significant economic losses. Unlike synoptic boundary layer winds—well characterized by conventional meteorological standards—downbursts are localized, transient atmospheric events where intense columns of descending air spread radially upon reaching the ground. This distinct behaviour produces highly non-uniform loading patterns that challenge traditional design assumptions.