#2570 "Cirrus Sunset from the Bottom of the Atmospheric Ocean"

#2570 "Cirrus Sunset from the Bottom
of the Atmospheric Ocean" 11x14

Enjoying another Singleton sunset made me really ponder the orientation of these particular lines in the sky. The complexity of the patterns really emphasized that we do indeed reside at the bottom of a very deep and extremely dynamic ocean of air. The answers were not immediately obvious. I need to explain this sunset a bit. 

Observing from our Earthly viewing platform reveals the following. There were at least three bands of cirrus above Singleton with clear skies beyond them at least as far as the horizon. The western most cloud edge had to be a deformation zone but something was unusual. The sharp edge was on the western flank of the cirrus band and the moisture was to the east of the deformation zone. Gravity wind waves were embedded within the three swells of cirrus. Remember that long wavelength ocean swells propagate great distances from their windy source. I was attributing the three bands of cirrus as atmospheric swells. The drift of the cloud within the bands was from south so the atmospheric winds had to be southerly. Wind gravity waves embedded in the swells were consistent with the earth observation of southerly winds. Some faint ice crystal virga wafted toward the ground while catching the last rays of the setting sun. These trails of virga were in front of the cirrus swells from my vantage. 

The dark sunset colours on the horizon was the glow of the setting sun catching dust in the boundary layer of the atmosphere stirred up by a daytime of wind and human activities. Smoke and the exhaust of industries from around the busy ports of the Great Lakes would easily explain those somewhat murkier colours. 

To complete the diagnosis of the sunset sky, I would have to consult the view from space. The water vapour imagery confirmed the orientation of the deformation zone over Singleton. The weather story was even more complex. I was viewing just a small portion of a much larger double cyclonic deformation zone. That line in the sky was associated with an upper cyclone near Timiskaming and a second low well southeast of Cape Cod. Recall that double cyclonic and double anticyclonic deformation zones tend to be nearly stationary with respect to the globe. The next morning dawned cloudy and the satellite imagery confirmed that the pattern had retrogressed toward the west, bringing the overcast skies with it. The jet stream was in a highly meridional flow pattern consistent with that expected from a weakening flow associated with climate change. 

Satellite imagery reveals details and complexities that could keep professional meteorologists entertained for days. I know that from experience! Most people should not venture down that rabbit hole. Always remember that the atmosphere is a complex three or four dimensional flow. The area of the water vapour imagery where I sketched in the double-cyclonic deformation zone conceptual model, shows a stronger northeasterly flow actually sinking as it headed southward. The cyclonic x's were actually vortex tubes stretching through the depth of the atmosphere. The moisture over Singleton and the little yellow star is actually rising as it heads northward. This pattern was not moving far but was likely to shift to the southwest with the stronger winds. 

The highly contorted flow revealed by the water vapour imagery, was typical of the wave number seven of the weakening jet stream. Instead of following the lines of latitude as a zonal, strong current of air, the jet stream was more likely to follow the meridional lines of longitude northward and then southward is a series of ox-bow lakes. That kind of pattern was over Singleton in that sunset sky and it told the story of climate change. 

This sunset weather story was unusual in that the weather was approaching Singleton from the east. The typical progression of weather from the west was upset and I think this would cause the viewer some anxiety although they might not really comprehend why. At one time, these strongly blocked and convoluted patterns were rare. The clouds always tell the truth even if humans might not like to hear it. I paint what I see and nature always makes sense even if it might take some effort to unravel the lines in the sky. 

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Keep you paddle in the water and warmest regards,

Phil the Forecaster Chadwick

#2569 "Sunday Weather Bedtime Story"

#2569 "Sunday Weather Bedtime Story" 11x14

Every sunset offers at least an hour of solid entertainment. This sky revealed the warm conveyor belt of the next autumn storm on the way. The surface winds were light southeasterlies but the high cirrus cloud was steadily advancing on Singleton Lake from the west. Cirrus within those atmospheric swells was shearing to the southeast. The slant on the embedded wind waves within those swells looked to be point toward the northeast. Perspective plays an important part in the interpretation of cloud lines. 

A bird's eye satellite view using the water vapour imagery reconciled that the slant on the embedded wind waves was indeed downwind from the col of the deformation zone - toward the southeast. The atmospheric puzzle pieces were all consistent with the anticyclonic companion of the warm conveyor belt approaching in the sunset sky. 

The rain associated more with the cyclonic companion of the warm conveyor belt was still many hours away. All of the components of a weather system to the west of your location, must eventually pass by your location. 

The dark cloud that was directly overhead at sunset was being steered toward the northwest with the cold conveyor belt of the system. The sun had already set as far as that cloud was concerned. The cyclonic shape of the cloud edges was consistent with the swirl paired with the anticyclonic companion of the storm. Curling the fingers of your Coriolis Hand in the direction of the cloud edges enforces that your thumb is pointing upward. 

The conclusion of simply watching the sunset cloud edges and the motion of the cloud, revealed that rain was on the way. That rain was heavy at times.

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#2568 "Thursday Sunset Swells"

#2568 "Thursday Sunset Swells" 9x12

We always try to catch the sunset. The show of light and weather is inspirational and a perfect end to the day. 

This particular sunset sky was on a Thursday. The day of the week does not matter in the slightest way. Weather was on the way. Just over an inch of rain would fall overnight and provide the musical background on the metal roof in accompaniment to the honking of the Canada geese. I had been writing about gravity waves in the sky. These clouds told the story of wind waves and swells within the atmospheric ocean. I felt that it was worth recording in oils. Art and science are very much the same. 

The pattern of large gravity waves overhead also stretched to the western horizon. These bands were swells in the atmosphere generated from the stronger winds near the centre of the system. The updraft crests in these swells were the bands of clouds that I painted while the downdraft troughs were cloud free. The smaller gravity waves embedded within these large swells spoke of the system relative winds that were at quite an angle to the swells. These patterns are very interesting and reveal a lot about the approaching storm. 

Satellite View Downward on a
Similar Cloud Pattern

The smaller gravity waves must tilt downstream with the stronger winds at their tips. The deformation zone conceptual model provides the answer as to why the system relative winds are stronger and pointing to the southeast. Using your Coriolis Hand and pointing your fingers in the direction of the winds that create these secondary gravity waves makes your thumb point downward. The anticyclonic companion of the warm conveyor belt was overhead and to the west. This was confirmed by looking at the water vapour satellite imagery. 

The entire system would cross Singleton Lake eventually but the heaviest precipitation would remain further to the north. 

Crepuscular rays from the setting sun added to the angles in the sky. These rays are parallel in the real world even though they appear to diverge as a result of the train-track perspective. The viewing angles always need to be considered when interpreting cloud bands. 

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#2567 "Wilted Sunflowers"

# 2567 "Wilted Sunflowers" 5x7

It was still spitting rain outside even though the bulk of the multi-day storm had passed east of SIngleton. The sunflowers that came with my Brother and his wife to our Thanksgiving Weekend Euchre Tournament, were just a memory of their former glory. 

This would likely be the last visit to those those decaying flowers. The blooms are pretty much done and the entire plant was slouching even more on the table. The smell of the flowers was still sweet but in weakly, decomposing way. I used broad, rough brush strokes on this small and very slippery panel. The art will allow the natural beauty of these simple blooms to rise again. 

Vincent would have loved to paint those flowers. Vincent had an empathy for things that needed care and perhaps a loving touch. 

The cold front had brought Arctic air across SIngleton and the last day for swimming in the lake for 2021 was indeed October 16th. I could not bring myself to throw my body into the lake again and emerge into even colder air. The water was still warm enough but the Arctic air would take your breath away. 

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#2566 "Sunflower Bouquet Last Daze"

#2566 "Sunflower Bouquet Last Daze"
16x20 by 1.75inches

It was still raining hard outside so I spent the morning painting flowers again ... I was still channeling Vincent Van Gogh. These flowers came with my Brother and his wife to our Thanksgiving Weekend Euchre Tournament. 

The sunflower blooms were really starting to deteriorate which made them even better for a painting. I took them out of the vase and laid them on an incline on the table. The blooms sagged with simple gravity and were becoming part of the table. 

Vincent would have loved to paint those flowers. I know I did. I used a lot of paint too. I plan to do a series of paintings of these sunflowers at different stages of growth and even decay. Life is good. 

"The sunflower is mine, in a way" said Vincent Van Gogh. I know that he would share though. I almost share my birthday with Vincent except that his was 100 years earlier than mine. 

The cold front was going through this afternoon and I think this will be my last day for swimming in the lake for 2021 - October 16th... now that is climate change. 

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#2565 "Past Prime Sunflower Bouquet"

#2565 "Past Prime Sunflower Bouquet"
20x16 Gallery Wrap Canvas

It was raining hard outside so I spent the morning painting flowers... that keeps me happy! I might have even been channeling Vincent Van Gogh (30 March 1853 – 29 July 1890) ). After all, as Vincent once declared "It is a painter's duty to become absorbed in nature."

These flowers came with my Brother and his wife to our Thanksgiving Weekend Euchre Tournament. They were starting to fade which made them perfect for a painting. Vincent would have loved to paint those flowers. I know I did. 

"The sunflower is mine, in a way" said Vincent Van Gogh. I know that he would share though. I almost share my birthday with Vincent except that his was 100 years earlier than mine.

I was interesting in the reflections and refractions of the stems in the water and the glass. I stayed very loose with the brush and the paint. I also shaped and sized the subject to better fit the canvas - that is artistic licence and is OK. I used up all of the paint that was on both of my studio palettes on this 20x16 gallery wrapped canvas. 

I was still swimming... now that is climate change - Friday October 15th, 2021. I had not missed a day in the lake since May 15th. 

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#2564 "Singleton Sunday Thanksgiving Sunset"

#2564 "Singleton Sunday Thanksgiving Sunset"
8x10

The sunset on Sunday October 10th, 2021 was stunning. "Red sky at night" foretold of a "sailor's delight. The golden sky was clear all the way to the setting sun to the west and gold is even better than red... What could go wrong? 

But something was not right. I knew that a cold weather system was approaching after the Thanksgiving weekend. I was also aware that the atmosphere was stagnant and blocked. The weakening jet stream was now a meandering flow forming multiple, large amplitude wave crests and troughs around a latitudinal circle. The transformation of the fast and strong atmospheric current meteorologists called the jet stream into a much weaker flow, had long been predicted by the sciences. The climate was changing much faster than ever it could have been imagined. The jet stream had only really been confirmed during the Second World War when aircraft encountered the strong currents and could not reach their targets. The distribution of the planet's mountains and oceans tend to encourage wave number seven of these large amplitude atmospheric ox bow patterns. What were the sunset lines in the sky really saying? 

A patch of overhead altocumulus was drifting southward. The atmospheric frame relative winds were westerly and generating the distinctive wind gravity waves within these clouds. Wind waves in the atmosphere are shorter wavelength with less amplitude as compared to atmospheric swells. 

The anticyclonic companion of the conveyor belt conceptual model was directed toward Singleton. This pattern is typical given our location in eastern Ontario and the fact that most emergent systems approach from Colorado or the Gulf of Mexico. Singleton sees the anticyclonic companion of the approaching storm first. Maybe the sailors should not be delighted? 

The sunset colours were another reason to be very thankful during the Thanksgiving Weekend. Science Tuesday will explain the truth behind this golden sunset in a bit more detail. 

The cold Arctic air would not arrive for another couple of days giving me more time for swimming in the lake. 

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#2563 "Paddle Softly Singleton"

#2563 "Paddle Softly Singleton" 11x14 Oils

This view is from 1:45 pm Sunday October 3rd, 2021 as I paddled Singleton looking for the loons and whatever else might be of interest. The vivid reflections of the forest edge in the calm waters caught my eye. The overcast stratus muted the colours a bit. There is nothing quite so peaceful as stroking your paddle silently along the natural shoreline of a Canadian Lake. 

I went swimming after putting the oils on this skyscape. The water was still reasonably warm. 

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#2562 "Singleton Paradise Sanctuary Shore"

#2562 "Singleton Paradise Sanctuary Shore" 11x14

This view is from 2:00 pm Sunday October 3rd, 2021 as I paddled Singleton looking for the loons and whatever else might be of interest. The colours change dramatically and quickly with the weather. The autumn storm was still several hours away to the west. 

Day CLoud Phase RGB 
Heavy weather half way across
Lake Ontario

The chilly, easterly cold conveyor belt was increasing in wind speed. I decided to paddle in the shelter of Point Paradise and the western shore of our Singleton Sanctuary. The chilly air mass was really quite unstable as revealed by the vigourous nature of the cumulus and some of the tendrils of virga hanging down from the streets of turbulent cloud. 

US Weather Chart in Fahrenheit

I was drawn by the cloud shapes and colours. I used old oils on a smooth and slippery surface. The thick oils add a lot of texture to the surface and are fun to work with. 

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#2561 "Singleton October Storm Clouds"

This view is from 2:00 pm Sunday October 3rd, 2021 as I paddled Singleton looking for the loons and whatever else might be of interest. The water was choppy and it made for an interesting paddle. 

The chilly, cold conveyor belt was being drawn into the approaching autumn storm. The cirrus level deformation zone had already passed to the east of Singleton. Overcast cirrostratus was overhead. 

Graphic Explanation of Observing the
Cold Conveyor Belt
The blue CCB Arrow in the Graphic

Strong CCB Earth Frame Winds Explained

The intensity of the approaching storm may be gauged by the winds of the cold conveyor belt. An earth frame wind strong enough to shape the turbulent stratocumulus into streets, is all the evidence I needed to deduce that heavy rain was on the way. The accompanying graphic describes how the strength of the cold conveyor belt can reveal the overall strength of the approaching storm - the weather machine. I wrote about this in "Weather Lessons for Everyone from the Cold Conveyor Belt Wizard" but this graphic is a summary.  The chilly air mass was also quite unstable as revealed by the vigourous nature of the cumulus component of the cloud. 

I was drawn by the cloud shapes and colours. I used very old oils on a smooth and slippery surface. The thick oils add a lot of texture to the surface and are fun to work with. 

For this and much more art, click on Pixels. Thank you. 

#2560 "Singleton Late Summer Storm Sunset"

#2560 "Singleton Late Summer Storm Sunset" 11x14

The warm conveyor belt of a late summer system was spreading across the western horizon. Recently the systems had all been fairly dry. 

The cyclonic companion with thin streets of cirrostratus veiled the deep blue of the higher elevation angles in the sunset sky. These Langmuir streaks of thin cirrus were higher and neatly spaced. Looking closely, one could discern the gravity waves in the stable layer of the Langmuir streaks. This waves were perpendicular to the southwesterly winds aloft with the warm conveyor belt and consistent with the conveyor belt conceptual model. 

The col in the altocumulus deformation zone was directly west of Singleton Lake. The darker, purple altostratus clouds were confined behind the lower level deformation zone. 

Northerly winds were rolling streets of dark, turbulent stratocumulus clouds in the northerly winds. The surface winds had already decoupled from the winds just above the surface due to the cooling that sunset brings and the associated inversion. The winds were nearly calm at the surface and the wave action on the lake was decaying into a flat and reflective mirror. At the same time, I imagined that the wind shear was rolling pencils along a table top and forming the cloud swirls that were also embedded in the cloud streets. 

It is not often that this much meteorology can be witnessed in one collection of clouds. This is what drew me to complete this painting - so to speak. The title is a bit of an alliteration but that is just fine. 

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#2559 "Singleton Chairs"

#2559 "Singleton Chairs" 11x14

I was on a reconnaissance paddle around Singleton Lake checking out the loons on Wednesday September 29th, 2021. The lake was very quiet. The weather had turned colder but the water was still warm enough for swimming. I love this type of cloudy, early morning sky with just me, my paddle and my canoe. 

This pair of Muskoka chairs were vacant. I was thinking that the furniture should be renamed as Singleton Chairs or perhaps even Frontenac Arch Chairs. They look more comfortable than Muskoka Chairs. Muskoka does not have anything over the beauty of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere and Singleton Lake in particular. I do not know who placed those comfortable chairs there or who uses them. It was a quiet, secluded and dark place in the lee of the steep marble cliffs. They would have been witness to the sunset during the middle of summer but otherwise this location would not have seen very much light. In fact I had never seen anyone in those chairs although it certainly is a prime location to catch the last rays of the sun in mid summer. 

The steep, marble rocks on this secluded shoreline also recorded the widely varying water levels. The persistent water levels were etched on the rocks. Those chairs would have been in the water during the spring flood. The etchings are not time stamped unfortunately so we do not really know exactly when these extremes occurred and reoccurred. The water levels are typically low in the autumn and I am not sure why. The hydro dam at Marble Rock is the only obstacle in the flow. The last serious flooding that I recall was the spring of 2014.

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