Antarctica Weather Danger Classification

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Short description: Antarctica weather classification system

The weather in Antarctica can be highly variable, and weather conditions will oftentimes change dramatically in a short period of time. Weather conditions on the continent are classified in a number of ways, and restrictions placed upon workers and other staff vary both by stations and by nations.[1]

McMurdo Station (USA)

Below is the classification for weather conditions at McMurdo Station:[2][3][4]

Condition Criteria Example
Condition 3 /
Normal Condition 3[5][6]		 Must meet all of the following criteria:
  • Visibility is either greater than 1⁄4 mile (400 m), or it falls to ​1⁄4 mile or less for less than one minute at a time
  • Windspeed is either below 48 knots (89 km/h; 55 mph), or it reaches 48 knots or above for less than one minute at a time
  • Air temperature and wind chill are either above −75 °F (−59 °C), or falls to −75 °F or below for less than one minute at a time
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Condition 2 /
Severe Condition 2[5][6]		 Must meet all of the following criteria:
  • Visibility is either greater than or equal to 100 feet (30 m), or it falls below 100 feet for less than one minute at a time
  • Windspeed is either less than or equal to 55 knots (102 km/h; 63 mph), or it exceeds 55 knots for less than one minute at a time
  • Air temperature and wind chill are either −100 °F (−73 °C) or above, or falls below −100 °F for less than one minute at a time

And also must meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • Visibility is less than or equal to 1⁄4 mile (400 m), sustained for one minute or longer
  • Windspeed greater than 48 knots (89 km/h; 55 mph), sustained for one minute or longer
  • Air temperature and/or wind chill of −75 °F (−59 °C) or below, sustained for one minute or longer
 160px
Condition 1 /
Severe Condition 1[5][6]		 Must meet one or more of the following criteria:
  • Visibility less than 100 feet (30 m), sustained for one minute or longer
  • Windspeed over 55 knots (102 km/h; 63 mph), sustained for one minute or longer
  • Air temperature and/or wind chill below −100 °F (−73 °C), sustained for one minute or longer
 160px

Scott Base (New Zealand)

Below is the classification for weather conditions at Scott Base:[7]

Condition Criteria
Weather Condition 3 Must meet all of the following criteria:
  • Severe weather is possible within 24 to 48 hours
  • Visibility is greater than 300 metres (980 ft)
  • Wind less than or equal to 45 knots (83 km/h; 52 mph)
  • Air temperature and wind chill are above −60 °C (−76 °F)
Weather Condition 2 Must meet all of the following criteria:
  • Visibility is greater than 30 metres (98 ft)
  • Windspeed is no greater than 55 knots (102 km/h; 63 mph)
  • Air temperature and wind chill are no colder than −73 °C (−99 °F)

And also must meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • Visibility less than 300 metres (980 ft)
  • Windspeed is greater than or equal to 48 knots (89 km/h; 55 mph)
  • Air temperature and/or wind chill of −60 °C (−76 °F) or below
Weather Condition 1 Must meet one or more of the following criteria:
  • Visibility less than 30 metres (98 ft)
  • Windspeed over 55 knots (102 km/h; 63 mph)
  • Air temperature and/or wind chill are below −73 °C (−99 °F)

See also

  • Climate of Antarctica

References

  1. ↑ "Antarctic weather – Australian Antarctic Program" (in en). 2019-02-18. https://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/weather-and-climate/weather/. 
  2. ↑ "Welcome To McMurdo Station". http://www.nsf.gov/about/contracting/rfqs/support_ant/docs/mcmurdo_guide2006.pdf. 
  3. ↑ "Field Manual for the U.S. Antarctic Program". http://www.usap.gov/travelAndDeployment/documents/FieldManual-Chapt10Weather.pdf. 
  4. ↑ Howard, George (1997-10-18). "Winter Storm: Weathering the Conditions". The Antarctic Sun: pp. 8. https://antarcticsun.usap.gov/pastIssues/1997-1998/1997_10_18.pdf#8. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Ferrier, Cara; Walker, Meghan; Webster, Kaija. "Field Manual for the U.S. Antarctic Program". in Mastro, Jim. https://www.usap.gov/USAPgov/travelAndDeployment/documents/FieldManual-Chapt10Weather.pdf. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Weather Condition Definitions". https://lambda.gsfc.nasa.gov/product/suborbit/TOPHAT/topweb.gsfc.nasa.gov/antarctica_imagegal/weather_cond_def.html. 
  7. ↑ Field Manual: 2011-2013. New Zealand: Antarctica New Zealand. 2012. http://antarcticanz.govt.nz/images/downloads/publications/FieldHandbookA6Aug12.pdf. 

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