Antarctica Weather Danger Classification

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 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	File:Condition 3 McMurdo.jpg
Condition 2 / Severe Condition 2	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	File:Condition 2 McMurdo.jpg
Condition 1 / Severe Condition 1	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	File:Condition 1 McMurdo.jpg

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 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