A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and flooding rain. The term "tropical" refers to both the geographic origin of these systems, which form almost exclusively in tropical regions of the globe, and their formation in Maritime Tropical air masses. The term "cyclone" refers to such storms' cyclonic nature, with counterclockwise rotation in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise rotation in the Southern Hemisphere. While tropical cyclones can produce extremely powerful winds and torrential rain, they are also able to produce high waves and damaging storm surge as well as spawning tornadoes. They develop over large bodies of warm water, and lose their strength if they move over land. This is the reason coastal regions can receive significant damage from a tropical cyclone, while inland regions are relatively safe from receiving strong winds. Heavy rains, however, can produce significant flooding inland, and storm surges can produce extensive coastal flooding up to 40 kilometres (25 mi) from the coastline. Although their effects on human populations can be devastating, tropical cyclones can also relieve drought conditions. They also carry heat and energy away from the tropics and transport it toward temperate latitudes, which makes them an important part of the global atmospheric circulation mechanism. As a result, tropical cyclones help to maintain equilibrium in the Earth's troposphere, and to maintain a relatively stable and warm temperature worldwide. It is not possible to artificially induce the dissipation of these systems with current technology.

Read the rest of this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_cyclone

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1794:

The Glorious First of June, the first and largest fleet action of the naval conflict between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the First French Republic during the French Revolutionary Wars, was fought. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glorious_First_of_June

1813:

War of 1812: Mortally wounded during a battle against the Royal Navy frigate HMS Shannon, American naval commander James Lawrence of the USS Chesapeake ordered his crew to "Don't give up the ship!", today a popular battle cry. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capture_of_USS_Chesapeake

1831:

British naval officer and explorer James Clark Ross successfully led the first expedition to reach the North Magnetic Pole. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Clark_Ross

1943:

Eight German Junkers Ju 88s shot down British Overseas Airways Corporation Flight 777 over the Bay of Biscay off the coast of Spain and France, killing actor Leslie Howard and several other notable passengers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BOAC_Flight_777

2001:

Crown Prince Dipendra of Nepal killed King Birendra and several members of the Shah royal family in a shooting spree at the Narayanhity Royal Palace in Kathmandu. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepalese_royal_massacre

2005:

In their first national referendum in over two hundred years, Dutch voters rejected the ratification of the proposed Constitution of the European Union. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_European_Constitution_referendum%2C_2005

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

gallivant (v): 1. To roam about for pleasure without any definite plan.

2. (obsolete) To flirt, to romance http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/gallivant

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

There are times when the utmost daring is the height of wisdom. --Carl von Clausewitz http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Carl_von_Clausewitz