Wood warping is a deviation from flatness in timber as a result of internal residual stress caused by uneven shrinkage. Warping primarily occurs due to uneven expansion or contraction caused by changes in moisture content. Warping can occur in wood considered "dry" when it takes up moisture unevenly, or when it is allowed to return to its "dry" equilibrium state unevenly, too slowly, or too quickly. Many factors can contribute to wood warp susceptibility: wood species, grain orientation, air flow, sunlight, uneven finishing, temperature, and cutting season.