#2829 "February Singleton Storm Sunset"

#2829 "February Singleton Storm Sunset"
oils  on 8x10 canvas panel 

The sunset view looking west across the frozen expanse of Singleton Lake is always inspirational. 

The smooth edges of these cloud bands are characteristic of gravity wave clouds. These are large atmospheric swells in a southerly flow aloft. Those winds were certainly associated with a warm conveyor belt. 

There were subtle wind waves embedded on the swells but I forget which way those ripples were moving. These wind waves were most obvious within the swell on the right edge of the painting but my brush strokes suggest them in the other swells too. 

Given the relative minimum in higher cirrus clouds, those wind waves were probably drifting eastward placing Singleton under the anticyclonic companion of the warm conveyor belt. The centre of the storm and the cyclonic companion were still well to the west. The following graphic depicts how the small wavelength wind waves can be superimposed on the atmospheric ocean swells. The lifted condensation level for that portion of the air mass was between Options 3 and 4 in the graphic. 

A winter storm was on the way. Every cloud has a story to tell. I paint a lot of weather. The clouds and the sky have always inspired me. 

The weather outside was why I was within the shelter of the Singleton Sanctuary Studio. The wood stove was on and the atmosphere was wonderful.  I was listening to the vintage Radio Shack Realistic stereo circa 1976. I find it illuminating that one of the first purchases in our adult lives was also made to last. 

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Warmest regards and keep your paddle in the water,

Phil Chadwick 

PS: Merry Christmas!