Still, in the intervening minute or so, the clouds began an assault: thunder, twisting gusts of wind and a forceful misty rain that drenched Mr. Bradley and the audience.
But other scientists, including some of Dr. Wright's closest colleagues, disagree, saying that forceful protection of rain forests is especially important in the face of threats from industrialized farming and logging.
In typically forceful style, he rains fire and brimstone on "humanity's oldest enemy"; a hangover from the pre-scientific infancy of our species, when our innate desire to see patterns in the world led us to create supernatural explanations.
A shimmering but increasingly vehement work by Chen Yi seemed far too forceful to be called "Happy Rain on a Spring Night".
Forceful storms consisting of heavy rains, winds and hail made their way across western Germany late on Monday, killing at least six people and damaging roads and public transport throughout the area.
Of Ms. Brown's five works, her largest group dances — an excerpt from "New Second Line" (2006, featuring eight dancers) and the world premiere of "City of Rain" (10 dancers) — have the most forceful impact.
Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth told BBC Three Counties Radio: "It was difficult today, it was pouring with rain and the wind was so forceful down one end.
Her reading of "River in the Rain," from Roger Miller's Huckleberry Finn-inspired musical "Big River," conveys melancholy admiration of forceful, unfettered freedom.
"Some people are startled by rain-head showers, because when the water first comes out, it can be forceful and it is often cold," she said.
So the Met Office did say there was a 35 per cent chance or rain, which is how it turned out – but that was entirely lost on the public in the forceful catchiness of the "barbecue summer" phrase, which, of course, was chosen to make headlines.
