Tropical Storm Barry (2007) A brief, neutral overview of Tropical Storm Barry (2007): formation in the Gulf of Mexico, peak intensity, landfall near Tampa Bay, impacts in Cuba and the southeastern United Stat…
Tropical Storm Bertha (2002) Tropical Storm Bertha was a short-lived, weak Atlantic tropical storm in 2002 that formed off Louisiana, struck both Louisiana and Texas, caused minor damage and one death, and dis…
Tropical Storm Beryl (May 2012) Tropical Storm Beryl Overview of Tropical Storm Beryl, an early-season Atlantic storm of May 2012: formation, meteorological development from a subtropical system, impacts in Cuba and the U.S. Southeas…
Tropical Storm Chantal (2007) Short-lived Atlantic tropical storm in late July–early August 2007 that formed between Bermuda and Cape Cod, reached about 50 mph winds, then became extratropical and moved near Ne…
Tropical Storm Debby (1994) A September 1994 Atlantic tropical storm that produced near-hurricane winds, heavy rain and flooding across parts of the eastern Caribbean, causing significant damage and several f…
Tropical Storm Delta (2005): late-season transition affecting Canary Islands, Morocco Tropical Storm Delta (2005) Late-season cyclone of 2005 that evolved from an extratropical low, briefly became subtropical, attained tropical status on Nov 22, and later impacted the Canary Islands and Morocc…
Tropical Storm Fabian (1991) A short-lived Atlantic tropical storm in mid‑October 1991 that formed in the northwest Caribbean, crossed Cuba, passed near Florida, briefly reached 45 mph and became extratropical…
Tropical Storm Franklin (2005) Mid-summer 2005 tropical storm that formed north of the Bahamas, remained over the western Atlantic, skirted near Bermuda, neared hurricane strength twice, and became extratropical…
Tropical Storm Grace (2009) A short-lived Atlantic tropical storm in October 2009 that formed near the Azores and moved northeastward, its remnants bringing wind and rain to parts of Portugal, Ireland and the…
Tropical Storm Hanna (2002) Tropical Storm Hanna (2002) was the eighth named storm of the Atlantic season; it struck the northern Gulf Coast, producing heavy rain and localized flooding that caused three deat…
Tropical Storm Harvey (2005): formation, course, and impacts Tropical Storm Harvey (2005) Overview of Tropical Storm Harvey (August 2–8, 2005): its origin, life cycle, interaction with Bermuda, transition to an extratropical cyclone, and its place in the active 2005 Atl…
Tropical Storm Jose (2005) Short-lived tropical storm (Aug 22–23, 2005) that formed in the western Gulf of Mexico, made landfall in eastern Mexico, and produced heavy rain, landslides, eight deaths, and abou…
Tropical Storm Laura (2008) A brief account of Tropical Storm Laura (2008), a short-lived Atlantic system that formed from a non-tropical low in late September and underwent a rapid extratropical transition.
Tropical Storm Nana (2008) A brief account of Tropical Storm Nana, a short‑lived Atlantic system in October 2008 that formed from a tropical wave west of the Cape Verde Islands and dissipated without affecti…
Tropical Storm Norma (1970) Tropical Storm Norma formed off Mexico in late August 1970 and produced deadly floods in the southwestern United States, causing heavy rain, extensive damage, and 23 fatalities.
Tropical Storm Zeta — the last storm of the record 2005 Atlantic season Tropical Storm Zeta Tropical Storm Zeta formed very late in 2005 and persisted into January 2006, remaining well offshore and marking the unusual close of an extremely active Atlantic hurricane season…
Tropical wave (easterly wave): origin, structure, movement and impacts Tropical wave A tropical wave is an elongated low‑pressure trough that travels westward across the tropics, producing bands of convection and often acting as a seed for tropical cyclones in the…
Trou aux Cerfs — Dormant volcanic crater in Curepipe, Mauritius Trou aux Cerfs Trou aux Cerfs is a well-preserved dormant volcanic crater in Curepipe, Mauritius, notable for its conical rim, deep circular crater and panoramic views of the island's central pla…
Trough: containers, low points, and scientific meanings Trough A trough can be a farm container for feed or water and a general term for a low point in waves, weather, geology, economics, and laboratory equipment.
Turquoise: properties, history, uses, and varieties Turquoise Turquoise is an opaque blue-to-green phosphate mineral prized as a gem and ornamental stone. This article covers its properties, sources, cultural history, treatments, and common i…
Twilight: dawn and dusk — causes, types, and practical importance Twilight Twilight is the interval of dim light around sunrise and sunset. This article explains physical causes, the three standard twilight phases, variation by latitude and uses in naviga…
Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) — November 2013 super typhoon Typhoon Haiyan One of the most intense tropical cyclones recorded at landfall, Haiyan (Yolanda) devastated parts of the central Philippines in November 2013 with extreme winds and a catastrophic…
Typhoon Tip — record-setting 1979 Pacific super-typhoon Typhoon Tip Typhoon Tip (Warling) of October 1979 set instrumental records for lowest central pressure and greatest diameter among tropical cyclones, and remains significant for extensive reco…
Umbilicus (Navel): Anatomy, Development, and Clinical Significance Umbilicus The umbilicus (navel) is the scar left where the umbilical cord attached. This article explains its anatomy, development, common variations, clinical importance, and cultural meani…
Urethra: anatomy, function, and clinical importance Urethra The urethra is the tubular passage that carries urine from the bladder to the outside. This article explains its structure, differences between sexes, role in continence and reprod…
Varve: annual sedimentary laminations and their significance Varve Varves are paired seasonal layers in fine-grained lake sediments. They form under low-disturbance conditions and are used for high-resolution dating, climate reconstruction, and se…
Vertical draft (updrafts and downdrafts) Vertical draft Vertical drafts are upward or downward movements of air driven by buoyancy, terrain, fronts, or storms; they shape clouds, precipitation, turbulence, and have important effects in…
Water vapor: properties, formation, and role in weather and climate Water vapor Water vapor is the gaseous phase of water. This article explains how it forms, its physical properties, role in the water cycle and climate, and everyday and technological importan…
Waterfowl hunting: practices, history, equipment, and conservation Waterfowl hunting Waterfowl hunting (wildfowling) is the pursuit of ducks, geese and other water birds for food and sport. This article covers methods, equipment, seasons, history, and conservation…
Shallow-water waves: behavior, coastal effects, and key characteristics Waves at shallow water Waves entering shallow water change shape and speed as the sea floor interferes with particle motion, producing shoaling, breaking surf, coastal erosion and predictable hazards lik…
Weather front: boundary between contrasting air masses Weather front A weather front is the transition zone where two air masses with different temperature and humidity meet, producing clouds, precipitation, wind shifts and often significant day-to-…
Weather map Overview of weather maps: types, main elements, station models, history, interpretation, uses in forecasting, aviation and marine navigation, and limitations of observational and m…
Well (water well and other drilled or dug boreholes) Well A well is an engineered opening in the ground that accesses water or other subsurface fluids. This article explains types, construction, history, uses, risks and basic management.
Whaling: history, methods, and modern controversies Whaling Whaling is the practice of hunting whales for meat, oil and other products. This article explains its history, techniques, products, conservation outcomes, legal frameworks, and co…
Whirlpool A whirlpool is a rotating body of water created by interacting currents, tides, or obstacles; it ranges from small vortices to powerful maelstroms and has maritime, geological, and…
Whirlwind A whirlwind is a rotating column of air formed by local turbulence and flow differences; it ranges from small dust devils to larger vortices and differs from tornadoes.
Whorl (spiral form in nature, art, and science) Whorl A whorl is a circular or spiral arrangement of parts around a central axis. Found in biology, shells, fingerprints, textiles and ornament, the term describes recurring turning form…
Wilderness: definition, ecology, history and conservation Wilderness Wilderness denotes areas where natural processes predominate and human development is minimal. This article covers definitions, ecological and cultural value, legal protection, thr…
Wildlife: definition, habitats, human interactions and conservation Wildlife An overview of wildlife—non-domesticated plants, animals, fungi and other organisms—their habitats, ecological roles, history with humans, and contemporary conservation and managem…
Wind speed: measurement, effects, and practical importance Wind speed Wind speed is the rate of air motion at a location. This article explains definition, measurement methods, scales, impacts, historical notes, and typical applications in weather, a…
Wing coupling in moths and butterflies Wing coupling Wing coupling is the anatomical and behavioral linkage that makes the fore- and hindwings of many Lepidoptera act together, improving flight efficiency, stability and maneuverabili…
Winter (season) Winter Winter is the coldest of the four temperate seasons, marked by shorter days, longer nights, and a range of climatic, ecological, and cultural effects.
Wolong National Nature Reserve (Sichuan, China) Wolong National Nature Reserve Wolong is a large mountain reserve in Sichuan, China, known for giant panda conservation, diverse temperate forests, research facilities and ongoing challenges from tourism, resour…
Wood grain: structure, types, and its importance in woodworking Wood grain Wood grain refers to the alignment, texture and visible pattern of wood fibers. It affects strength, stability, workability and appearance, and guides sawing, joining, finishing an…
Woodland: definition, ecology, uses, and regional terminology Woodland A woodland is a light-filled, low-density tree cover with an open canopy. This article explains its characteristics, ecological roles, regional meanings, and conservation approache…
Wool: natural animal fibre, properties, production and uses Wool Wool is a natural animal fibre chiefly from sheep and other mammals; valued for warmth, elasticity and moisture control. This article explains types, structure, processing, history…
Yamato nadeshiko: The traditional ideal of Japanese womanhood Yamato nadeshiko Yamato nadeshiko is a Japanese phrase and floral metaphor for the culturally admired ideal of womanly virtues—gentleness, modesty, loyalty—and its historical, social, and modern me…
Yellow (color) Yellow Yellow is a visible color between red and green in the spectrum, common in nature and design. It has specific physical, cultural and practical uses, and is a standard component of…
