The painting was inspired by a sudden storm at sea observed by Lanyon during a walk along the shore at St Ives. The dramatic swirling brushstrokes record the artist's sensations as the storm came inland. Describing the creation of the painting Lanyon said, '..a gale of wind is circling offshore at the top of the picture, and below on the inshore side are black shapes that derived from anchors and grapples and tarred nets stretched out on the grassy hill in the foreground'.