8 December 2009 Condition 3 Weather on Antarctica

The science conducted in Antarctica is so varied.

Teams are studying geology, glaciology, oceanography, astronomy meteorology, atmospheric sciences, biology, and medical science. I am sure there are even more that I haven't even discovered. With these fields you find all types of engineers and computer specialist like the members of my team as well.

One thing they all have in common while they are conducting their science on Antarctica, the coldest, driest, windiest continent on the planet, is they have no control over the weather.

Weather rules this place. Nothing is done without consulting the weather. No planes or helicopters take off without concern for the weather. No teams are deployed to the field unless they are prepared to face the weather. You don't even leave on a hike without following a vital check out procedure which will enable your rescue if the weather changes quickly.

Weather plays such a prominent role in life, work and safety here there is a special rating for the weather.

Condition 3 weather is defined as having winds less than 48 knots, wind chills warmer than -75 degrees F, and visibility greater and ¼ mile.

Conditions 2 weather is defined by one or more of the following conditions: wind speeds of 48-55 knots, wind chills of -75F to -100F, or visibility of less than ¼ mile. Condition 1 weather is defined by one or more of the following conditions: wind speeds greater than 55 knots, wind chills colder than -100 F, or visibility of less than 100 feet.

READ CONDITION 3 AGAIN!!!

This is considered good weather. Now this week in McMurdo we have seen temperatures in the high 30's and light winds. Visibility is unlimited. However, in parts of the continent the conditions are very different. There have been major storms that have delayed projects for weeks. My team is behind by 2+ weeks due to weather.
As I was typing this journal I watched a team of two people prepare all their gear, check out of their dorm rooms, and put on all their extreme weather gear, which you must wear if you're flying on a plane or helicopter. They carried all this gear to the helo pad (helicopter landing pad) and found out the winds were too strong for them to land at the camp they were traveling to.

In the two weeks I have been here in Antarctica I have only experienced CONDITION 3 weather. So I share some of the beautiful pictures I have taken of the lovely summer weather.

On the top of Observation Hill next to the memorial to Admiral Scott and his team Gary can survey McMurdo Station. A view late in the evening from the Ross Ice Shelf Gary stands on top of a quimzhee built in "happy camper" school.

(Trekkers, don't tell anyone else, but honestly I hope I have the opportunity to experience condition 2 and condition 1 weathers at least for a day. Don't tell any of the science teams or the people planning logistics around here though. It really messes up their day.)

Enjoying the lovely Condition 3 weather in McMurdo, Mr. W