Dumoine Gravity Waves and Weather

by Phil Chadwick

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Dimensions

10.000 x 8.000 x 0.750 inches

Title

Dumoine Gravity Waves and Weather

Artist

Phil Chadwick

Medium

Painting - Oil On Canvas

Description

A small red building is nestled among dense green trees, with a calm body of water in the foreground and a sky full of soft clouds above. The brush strokes are thick and expressive, giving a sense of movement to the scene.

After a brief visit with John and crew over a cup of coffee, I headed out to paint again. This time I employed my canoe easel so that I could get a water level perspective. 

I paddled to the narrow section of the Dumoine River near the Tripper Campsite that I had painted at sunrise in #2866 "Foggy July Dumoine Sunrise at the Trippers Camp". The campers had packed up and left by the time I stroked my canoe back to near where they had had a blazing campfire the evening before. I had observed that inferno from a distance across the river and privately speculated about the safety of the Dumoine forest... I would paint that fire pit later in the week as #2895 "Dumoine Campsite Deluxe Firepit". The burn pit appeared to be reasonably safe given the size of the cleared area.

I jammed my canoe into the brush along the shoreline and counted on the steady current to keep the canoe pinned against the bank. It was an acceptable plan. Sometimes the current flicked the canoe back into the river and I had to recover my angle of view with the paddle. 

The bluebird sky had been replaced by gravity waves and Langmuir streaks approaching from the southwest. The sky told of the weather ahead. 

It is important to be able to read the clouds. Every atmospheric line and shape has a story to tell. The meteorological textbooks do not delve beyond superficial explanations of these moisture connections if at all. I had spent a lifetime investigating deeper to learn more about the linkages between the cloud clues and the physics of the meteorological forces at work. Some of this can be found in my blogs within "The Art and Science of Phil the Forecaster".

My view was toward the southwest and John's Cabin. The subject was the sky although it occupies only a third of the canvas. I wished to include the cloud signatures that revealed the weather that was fast approaching. The Dumoine was in the warm sector of the system as revealed by the morning fog but a cold frontal system was on its way. 

I was very tired after completing this painting and decided to spend the rest of the day visiting with the new arrivals and swimming. More importantly, I decided to relocate my tent to a safer area with better drainage. Knowing the weather can be advantageous. The weather is my friend. 

The effort of tent relocation encouraged the adoption of the Mexican "heat of the day siesta". Climate change encourages that beneficial midday nap at more northern latitudes! Medical studies continue to affirm the benefits of even a 30-minute snooze. Heart, lungs, and brain function all respond positively without any pills or medication. A short power nap can significantly boost alertness, concentration, and productivity, making nappers more efficient and effective in their daily tasks. Anyway, that's my story and I am sticking to it.

Strong thunderstorms would arrive during the supper hour. About twenty artists had arrived during the afternoon and they were enjoying their first dinner at camp. The meal was delicious but the clouds racing overhead confirmed the story that had been written in the sky earlier in the day. Then I started to hear the thunder - a tone I can still hear even though high-pitched sounds are now lost on my ears. I was surprised that others around the campfire pit did not seem to react or even notice the low rumbles. 

I quietly got up and walked to the end of the canoe dock. The characteristic shelf cloud was on the southwest horizon. I figured we had 30 minutes before the "monsoon" arrived. 

I was part of the dishwashing team that evening. I was drenched to the skin with rain pouring off the metal roof that evening... all of the dishes were thoroughly rinsed. Many gallons of rain-distilled water gushed off the roof. It was quite an experience. 

Uploaded

September 5th, 2024

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