What is the essential difference between gusts and squalls?

The essential difference between gusts and squalls lies in the duration of the increased wind speed. Gusts refer to short bursts of wind that can vary in intensity and last for a few seconds to a minute. They occur when there is a sudden increase in wind speed, followed by a quick return to the average wind speed. On the other hand, squalls are associated with a significant and sustained increase in wind that lasts for a longer period, typically 1 minute or more. Squalls often accompany convective weather phenomena like thunderstorms, producing a notable shift in wind speed and direction that persists beyond just brief gusts.

Understanding this distinction is crucial for pilots and meteorologists since it impacts flight operations, storm prediction, and overall weather assessments. While intensity of precipitation, variation between peaks and lulls, and peak speed of winds are relevant elements in weather observations, they do not specifically differentiate the two terms as clearly as the duration does.