Jack’s weather report:
It was overcast all day today with different periods of diffuse sunlight. It was also very windy and cold.
Temp: It is 33 °F (1 °C) currently at 10:30 local time and the high was 37 °F.
Winds have been steady all day out of the east at 19 – 20 kts (22-24 mph)
Today was a day that we were scheduled to do a diurnal. This is where we measure carbon flux using the chambers for 24 straight hours. I always have the first shift from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Unfortunately the machine we use to take the measurements was not cooperating and the first 4 hours of data was trashed. Paulo correctly diagnosed the problem and radioed what to do. I took out the relative humidity sensor and it calmed down after that.
After dinner, actually before dinner, it was decided that tonight was the night for the polar bear swim. Word spread fast and we soon had three car loads full of brave or crazy people up for the challenge. We drove towards the point in hopes of finding large pieces of floating ice but were unsuccessful……thought it would make a good backdrop for pictures. I staked my claim at the beach, as did the Viking.
Putting on the UV protection....notice the cold weather clothing in the backgrund.
The Viking is ready for the sun at Barrow Beach.
After some sunblock and a few moments too soak in the rays…yeah right!....I headed for the water…..took a dive…..and headed back up the beach.
Heading out of the water.
After two other trips to the water, I was ready for drying off, which was easy to do in the 23 mph wind.
Holding the South Carolina state flag, drying in the wind.
Now if I can only get to the Indian Ocean.
Plenty of others joined in the fun whether they took a dive or just watched.