Condition 2

4/24/2007

The last day we'll have a sunset is quickly approaching. I found a few websites looking around for a sunrise/sunset calculator. Here's a good one.

Unfortunately these last two days the weather has not cooperated with us. The plan was to go up to Arrival Heights, which is up on a ridge to watch the final sunset. Unfortunately these last two days the weather has not cooperated with us.

There are three weather classifications down here we use for work and travel:
Condition 3 - normal

• Wind speed is less than or equal to 48 knots
• Visibility is greater than 1/4 mile
• Windchill temperature is greater than -75°F

Condition 2 - restricted travel

• Sustained wind speed 48 knots to 55 knots
• Wind chill temperature -75°F (-60°C) to -100°F (-73°C)
• Visibility 100 feet to 1/4 mile

Condition 1 - Only 'mission critical' travel. Personnel usually restricted to buildings.

• Sustained wind speed 48 knots to 55 knots
• Wind chill temperature -75°F (-60°C) to -100°F (-73°C)
• Visibility 1/4 mile to 100 feet

There's a 'Condtion 1' Pool that personnel buy into. $10 for each day, with part of the proceeds going to a NZ charity.

We went to Condition 2, here. It brought a smile to my face feeling the wind blowing the snow around because I was finally experiencing some true Antarctic weather. The International Antarctic Center in Christchurch, NZ has a weather simulator. Well that doesn't do the real thing justice. Here's a video of what 'Condition 1' is like.