Weather Art — 2026-03-16-172202 inspired by Lesley Tannahill
Arctic 60n 130w
Over the Northwest Territories of Canada, near the Arctic Ocean where extreme cold meets high humidity, this composition captures the tension between the severe -13K temperature and the saturated 96% humidity through layers of crystalline forms and flowing organic shapes. The low pressure system creates dense, overlapping textures that accumulate like ice formations, while the gentle 2.1 m/s wind introduces subtle directional movement through elongated gestural marks. The temperature anomaly of 25.7K above normal translates into unexpected warm undertones breaking through the dominant cool palette, creating an intuitive color relationship that reflects this atmospheric contradiction.
Arctic 60n 70w
Over the frozen expanse of Baffin Bay, where arctic waters meet the western shores of Greenland, an extreme cold snap grips the landscape with temperatures plunging far below the seasonal average. The moderate wind from the southwest carries crystalline air across this desolate seascape, while high pressure creates a heavy, dense atmosphere that seems to press down on the ice-covered waters. I've translated these harsh conditions into a composition of jagged, layered forms that build upward like pressure ridges in sea ice, using deep blues and stark whites punctuated by sudden bursts of warm ochre—representing the temperature anomaly as fierce thermal energy breaking through the arctic silence.
Arctic 60n 90e
Over the Siberian Arctic Ocean, where the frozen expanse meets the polar atmosphere, extreme cold mingles with near-saturated air to create a landscape of crystalline intensity. The moderate pressure gradient and gentle southeasterly winds suggest subtle but persistent movement across this harsh terrain, while the temperature anomaly of 29.1 K above the zonal mean creates an unexpected warmth that I interpret through layered, gestural marks building from deep arctic blues toward surprising passages of amber and coral. Following Tannahill's approach to expressive mark-making, I've constructed overlapping organic forms that suggest both the raw energy of arctic weather systems and the delicate crystalline structures formed in high-humidity polar conditions.
Arctic 70n 20w
Over the Greenland Sea in the high Arctic, where pack ice meets turbulent waters under the polar night, this harsh environment presents a fascinating atmospheric paradox. The strong northerly winds at 16.8 m/s drive chaotic movement through the composition, while the extraordinarily high relative humidity of 94% creates dense, saturated layers that seem to press against each other. The temperature anomaly of 19.1 K above normal suggests an unusual warming event, which I've interpreted through unexpected warm undertones bleeding through the predominantly cold palette, creating the kind of intuitive color relationships and raw expression characteristic of Tannahill's approach.
Arctic 70n 60e
Over the remote Arctic Ocean north of the Ural Mountains in Russia, where sea ice meets the polar atmosphere, extreme conditions create a landscape of raw energy and crystalline beauty. The moderate winds and crushing low pressure system drive dynamic gestural marks across the composition, while the bitter cold temperature anomaly manifests as deep blues and purples layered with stark whites. The near-saturated humidity and light precipitation add textural depth through overlapping translucent forms that suggest ice crystals and atmospheric moisture condensing in the frigid air.
Europe 45n 30w
Over the North Atlantic, roughly halfway between Newfoundland and the Azores, dynamic weather systems churn through this maritime zone where warm Gulf Stream waters meet cooler northern air masses. The moderate wind speeds from the northwest and rising pressure gradient create swirling, energetic movements that I've translated into flowing gestural marks and layered transparent forms. The cool temperature anomaly and high humidity inspire a palette of deep blues and grays with touches of warmer earth tones, while the light precipitation adds delicate textural elements scattered throughout the composition like Tannahill's expressive mark-making.
Maritime Continent 15s 80e
Over the warm waters of the Indian Ocean southeast of Java, where tropical moisture meets dynamic atmospheric forces, the moderate wind speeds and high humidity create a sense of fluid movement and density. The significant temperature anomaly and substantial sea-level pressure gradient inspire bold, gestural strokes that layer and intersect like Tannahill's expressive mark-making, while the high humidity translates into rich, saturated blues and greens that blend and blur at their edges. The moderate precipitation and wind energy drive diagonal movements across the composition, creating a balance between controlled structure and spontaneous, organic flow.
Region 60s 0e
Over the Southern Ocean at 60 degrees south latitude on the prime meridian, this location sits in the notorious "Screaming Sixties" where powerful westerly winds circle Antarctica unimpeded by landmasses. The moderate wind speed of 15.2 m/s from the southwest, combined with low pressure and high humidity, creates a dynamic atmospheric system typical of this region's stormy maritime climate. I've interpreted these conditions through Tannahill's expressive mark-making approach, using sweeping gestural forms that suggest wind-driven spray and turbulent air masses, while the temperature anomaly of 13K warmer than normal introduces unexpected warmth through golden and amber tones breaking through the cooler oceanic palette.
Tropical South America 15s 70w
Over the Bolivian Altiplano near the border with Chile, this high-altitude location experiences extremely low atmospheric pressure and frigid temperatures that create a stark, ethereal landscape. The minimal wind and low humidity suggest a still, crystalline environment where every mark feels deliberate yet fragile. I've interpreted these conditions through Tannahill's aesthetic of layered textures and gestural marks, using cool, muted tones to reflect the extreme cold, with sparse compositional elements that echo the thin atmosphere and restrained energy of this high-altitude desert environment.
Western Pacific 0n 140e
Over the Western Pacific Ocean near the equator and east of the Philippines, warm tropical waters meet dynamic atmospheric forces. The moderate wind speed from the northwest creates flowing, directional energy across the composition, while the high humidity and precipitation manifest as layered, translucent washes that pool and blend organically. The temperature anomaly drives an intense color palette of deep oranges and reds against cooler blues, with the substantial pressure gradient creating dense, overlapping forms that suggest the raw power of tropical weather systems.