Condition 2

Another exciting day in McMurdo Sound and Scott Base today. Last night we were informed we would be scheduled for a helicopter flight today, but that the weather would likely be poor. As predicted the weather did not improve overnight and so we did not do a helicopter flight. However, we had planned for this and departed Scott Base at 9 this morning to do more on ice measurements. The idea was that if conditions did improve we could always head back before our scheduled helicopter flight.

During the day it was quite pleasant, very warm but with some wind. As we continued our measurements the wind increased and the visibility then reduced as the fresh snow we have had over the past two days started to blow around. Let me assure you, it is very difficult to lay out a 30m long tape measure in a straight line when the wind blows. Unfortunately the pictures never seem able to capture the amount of wind.

Pictured above is also the sled that I ride on each day, it gets a bit tiring, but is also quite comfortable and fun. But can be tricky when the light is flat and there are lots of bumps, or when the wind picks up and starts blowing the snow and obscuring the surface, as happened today.

After our final measurement site that we completed today, on the way to another measurement site the wind increased and the snow started blowing around. Visibility was really reduced, was hard to see the skidoos just 100m or less behind me, but we are glad for GPS technology as you can basically navigate by it and don't really need landmarks.

This evening after supper the winds increased at Scott Base and visibility dropped dramatically. It was about -10 but with 25knot (45+km/hr) winds, so felt like -30. Here in Antarctica they use a three level system for weather and activities, Conditions 1,2,3. Condition 3 is the best weather, good visibility, temperatures above -55C and low winds. Condition 2 is when you have temperatures below -55 or higher wind, or reduced visibility, and Condition 1 is when it is really really bad ). You can see the weather for Scott Base at http://www.antarcticanz.govt.nz/weather/SBweather/sbweather.html. As a result of the worsening weather conditions here, they changed the weather condition from 3 to 2; this limits outdoor activity to on base and with permission, at least for those of us at the base.

Well that is all for today. Tomorrow will be another measurement day, unless of course the weather improves and we can fly, though conditions are again not predicted to improve.