MLchartDataset catalogue

Whitecap

Term · Meteorology and atmospheric science · MLC-T-MET-003077

  1. A crest of a wave that breaks and forms foam or spray, appearing white due to the entrained air. Whitecaps are indicative of wind speeds sufficient to cause waves to become unstable and break. The presence and extent of whitecaps are often used as a visual indicator of wind strength over water bodies.

  2. The breaking crest of a wave, usually white and frothy.

Table 1. Record
IdentifierMLC-T-MET-003077
FieldMeteorology and atmospheric science
ReferencesNWS Glossary
Record as JSON
{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-003077",
  "term": "Whitecap",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definitions": [
    "A crest of a wave that breaks and forms foam or spray, appearing white due to the entrained air. Whitecaps are indicative of wind speeds sufficient to cause waves to become unstable and break. The presence and extent of whitecaps are often used as a visual indicator of wind strength over water bodies.",
    "The breaking crest of a wave, usually white and frothy."
  ],
  "references": [
    "NWS Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/whitecap/"
}

Record 10,502 of 10,702 in Meteorology and atmospheric science terminology (MLC-0110). Request the full dataset.