Wind

Wind was the large-scale flow of gases within an atmosphere measured relatively against stationary objects. Light winds (3.5- 27 knots), particularly on class M planets were referred to as a breeze. Continuous strong winds (34-40 knots) were referred to as gale force winds, while short bursts of the same were called a gust.

Effects

The wind was capable of carrying particles as well as large objects designed to take advantage of lift or directional force.

The impression or likeness of of "wind" could be accomplished by travelling quickly within an atmosphere, or by the movement of artificial atmosphere (for example, on a starship) into areas of lower pressure. (DIS: "That Hope Is You, Part 2", LD: "The Least Dangerous Game")

To be upwind from something was to be in the direction the wind was blowing from the target individual or sensor, ensuring the scent could not be detected. (TNG: "Lonely Among Us", "Birthright, Part II")

Sails were used to harness the power of the wind to propel vehicles like sailing ships or hydrosails forward over water. Solar sails on spaceships like a Bajoran lightship a similar principle, using charged particles ejected from a star called solar winds in a similar way. "Radiation winds" had a similar effect, though they did not necessarily require sails. (TOS: "Who Mourns for Adonais?", "The Ultimate Computer", TNG: "Elementary, Dear Data", Star Trek Generations, DS9: "Explorers", VOY: "Alter Ego", "Barge of the Dead", "Friendship One", LD: "The Spy Humongous", DIS: "Su'Kal")

Windmills also converted wind energy into mechanical energy. (LD: "Fully Dilated")

During Earth's World War II, codes were transmitted via radio concealed in weather reports of rain, clouds, wind speeds, and tides. (VOY: "The Killing Game")

Upon discovering the United Federation of Planets' new technology for terraforming, the Klingon Kruge mused that they possessed the power to build new cities and homes with the Federation flag overhead fluttering in the breeze. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)

Wind could have a harsh effect on Klingon hair, requiring the use of a conditioning agent to correct. (TNG: "Schisms")

Cultural Views

Some cultures viewed wind and the resultant storms to be communication from deity figures. Others personified the wind with elements such as choice or respect, or a thing to be trusted.

The Rubber Tree People, in communicating with their dead ancestors, recited a prayer attributing the giving of names to the wind. Some would similarly view wind with more negative connotations, as a thing to be feared, such as Kai Winn Adami employing the illustration of the Prophets and their Emissary being "swept aside like dead leaves before an angry wind" to describe the Pah-wraith's will. (TOS: "The Paradise Syndrome", TNG: "Rightful Heir"; DS9: "Strange Bedfellows", VOY: "Initiations"; ENT: "Broken Bow")

Audrid Dax loved to walk in the woods because of the shady glens, cool breezes, and cold streams. (DS9: "Shadows and Symbols")

The Arabs of Earth believed that their deity Allah gathered the south wind and used it to create the horse. (TNG: "Pen Pals") A lyric of the American, of Earth, folk song "Down in the Valley" included listening to the wind blow. (TNG: "Dark Page")

One of the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition stated that "A wise man can hear profit on the wind." Grand Nagus Zek said that a a Nagus had to, among other sailing metaphors, "seek the strong winds of prosperity." (DS9: "Rules of Acquisition", "The Dogs of War", VOY: "False Profits")

Some of the Greek gods like Zeus and Hera, once worshipped on Earth, were said to have "spread [themselves] upon the wind, thinner and thinner, until only the wind remained" as a method of shedding their corporeal bodies. TOS: "Who Mourns for Adonais?", LD: "Of Gods and Angles")

The Sky Spirits were capable of controlling the weather, including creating "gale force" winds. (VOY: "Tattoo")

An idiom shared by cultures such as Humans and Trill was to "feel a breeze" as an illustration for feeling metaphorically exposed. (DS9: "Broken Link")

A Vulcan teaching for children learning how to detach from their fear had the child assign a physical form, such as a cloud, before pushing the physical form away, such as blowing the cloud away with the wind. (VOY: "Innocence") The Vulcan name Arev meant "desert wind." (ENT: "The Forge")

By Planet

The erosene winds of Alastria, which came just before dawn, induced euphoria. They were also called "passion winds." (VOY: "Prime Factors")

Archer IV could have violent wind storms, some producing wind shear that made flying a shuttlepod dangerous. Some gusts were estimated to be 80 kph. (ENT: "Strange New World")

In a vision of the city of B'hala on Bajor, Benjamin Sisko reported that he could taste incense on the wind. (DS9: "Rapture")

The fire storms of Bersallis III could precipitate winds of over 200 kilometers per hour and temperatures as high as 300 degrees Celsius. (TNG: "Lessons")

Ceti Alpha V's high-velocity winds were among the factors rendering it incapable of supporting lifeforms. (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

Saint Moritz was a skiing location on Earth in Switzerland where the wind chill factor could reach thirty degrees below zero. (VOY: "Waking Moments") Chatkin Point on the Gulf of Mexico and Highway 1 in Earth's Northern California region featured desirable breezes for driving automobiles. (ENT: "Precious Cargo", VOY: "Vis à Vis") A recreation of Earth's Black Sea at Night featured balalaika music, ocean breezes, stars in the sky, and a full moon. (TNG: "All Good Things...")

The Arpasian Range on Ktaris was known for high winds and hail. (VOY: "Child's Play")

The Class M moon of Mab-Bu VI was subject to electromagnetic storms and winds capable of sheer that challenged the stabilizers of Type 15 shuttlepod. (TNG: "Power Play")

Inside the Progenitors' tunnel there were periodic hurricane windspeeds. (DIS: "Life, Itself")

The weather on Rigel XII was harsh, with winds resulting in sandstorms that could limit visibility to approximately 3.5 meters. The winds were so notably strong that, in 2266, Eve McHuron suggested that Ben Childress could hang his dirty pan out in the wind and let the sand clean it. (TOS: "Mudd's Women")

One of the features of Risa was a warm, tropical, sweet-smelling breeze. (TNG: "Captain's Holiday", DS9: "Let He Who Is Without Sin...")

The winds on Tarquin's planet could be treacherous, making it dangerous for Humans to go outside. (ENT: "Exile")

Wind speed on Theta VIII, a class K planet, could reach velocities of up to 312 meters per second. (TNG: "The Royale")

Specific Events

When visiting Vulcan in 2267, James T. Kirk would sarcastically comment that the weather was lovely, and that he only wished the breeze were cooler. (TOS: "Amok Time")

In 2356, a tornado with a wind velocity characteristic of a funnel three times its size appeared near Topeka, Kansas, on Earth, destroying one structure. (TNG: "True Q")

In 2362, the lack of footprints and vehicle tracks was attributed to wind erasing them during an investigation of missing colonists at the outpost on Tarchannen III.

In 2368, an asteroid struck Penthara IV, causing severe tectonic and atmospheric disturbances, including high winds. (TNG: "A Matter Of Time")

In 2372, the USS Defiant entered the atmosphere of a Class J gas giant to rescue the crew of a Karemma ship. The atmosphere of the gas giant had wind speeds of "over 10,000 kilometers per hour." They were more manageable between thermal layers. (DS9: "Starship Down")

There was a breeze on the day in 2372 that Tuvok and Neelix would discover the Symbiogenetic alien orchid. (VOY: "Tuvix")

Later that year, there were breezes strong enough to keep insects away from camp on the planet the Kazon stranded the USS Voyager crew on when they hijacked the vessel. (VOY: "Basics, Part II")

In 2373, a new optimistic spirit swept through Deep Space 9, what Benjamin Sisko would metaphorically relate to someone opening a door and letting a gust of fresh air into a musty old house. (DS9: "In the Cards")

In 2374, Dukat and Benjamin Sisko were stranded in a cave on a planet together. Dukat gave Sisko weather reports of the surface, including strong winds and high temperatures. (DS9: "Waltz")

Metaphorical Uses

• Medical idioms
  • Knock the wind out of (someone)
  • Sound of wind and limb
  • Winded
• Sports idioms
  • Get one's wind back
  • Second wind
• Other
  • Get wind of
  • Go where the wind blows
  • May the wind be at our backs
  • In the wind
  • Pass wind
  • See which way the wind is blowing
  • Sniff the wind
  • Throw to the wind
  • A warm wind blowing in from Minicoy
  • Winds are shifting

Meteorological phenomena involving wind

• Cyclone
• Hurricane
• Monsoon
• Storm
• Tornado

See also

• Erosene winds
• Solar wind
• Stellar wind
• Upwind
• Wind chill factor
• Wind Dancer
• Wind patterns
• Wind shear
• Wind speed
• Wind tunnel
• Wind velocity

External link

• Wind at Wikipedia
• Wind gust at Wikipedia
• Gale at Wikipedia