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.
McMurdo Station (USA) Below is the classification for weather conditions at McMurdo Station: + Condition Criteria Example Condition 3 / Normal Condition 3 Must meet all of the following criteria: Visibility is either greater than , or it falls to mile or less for less than one minute at a time Windspeed is either below , or it reaches 48 knots or above for less than one minute at a time Air temperature and wind chill are either above , or falls to −75 °F or below for less than one minute at a time Condition 2 / Severe Condition 2 Must meet all of the following criteria: Visibility is either greater than or equal to , or it falls below 100 feet for less than one minute at a time Windspeed is either less than or equal to , or it exceeds 55 knots for less than one minute at a time Air temperature and wind chill are either 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 , sustained for one minute or longer Windspeed greater than , sustained for one minute or longer Air temperature and/or wind chill of or below, sustained for one minute or longer Condition 1 / Severe Condition 1 Must meet one or more of the following criteria: Visibility less than , sustained for one minute or longer Windspeed over , sustained for one minute or longer Air temperature and/or wind chill below , sustained for one minute or longer
Scott Base (New Zealand)
Below is the classification for weather conditions at Scott Base:
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 Wind less than or equal to Air temperature and wind chill are above Weather Condition 2 Must meet all of the following criteria: Visibility is greater than Windspeed is no greater than Air temperature and wind chill are no colder than
And also must meet one or more of the following criteria: Visibility less than Windspeed is greater than or equal to Air temperature and/or wind chill of or below Weather Condition 1 Must meet one or more of the following criteria: Visibility less than Windspeed over Air temperature and/or wind chill are below
See also Climate of Antarctica
References