Entry tags:
03: blizzard
Our third winter storm in less than a week is currently raging outside. This one is different from the last two: instead of the storm coming from the north, as they tend to do, this one is coming from the south, over the water (which was frozen over, but broke open during the last two storms), which means it's dumping icy water and snow on us. But at least it's a bit warmer because of the barometric pressure!
We have three levels of weather catagorizing in McMurdo:
Condition ("Con") 3: perfectly nice weather, good visibility, no high-speed winds. No restrictions on travel.
Condition 2: High winds, low visibility, and/or low temperatures can cause us to go Con 2, where travel is restricted except for work/official business. Usually we'll go Con 2 for visibility from the wind kicking up snow.
Condition 1: AKA Weather That Can Actually Kill You. No, Really. This is the weather that involves no visibility, winds strong enough to blow you over (or to blow a sharp object into you), and/or temperatures cold enough to freeze you solid. They try not to issue Con 1 unless they have to, because once it's called you can't leave whatever building your in... which is great if you're stuck in your room in 155 (where the galley is), but sucks for anyone else. Con 1's don't usually last very long, though.
We're Con 2 this morning, and have been for a few hours now. Hopefully winds let up soon, though, because it's a pain to walk to the warehouses constantly in this!
We have three levels of weather catagorizing in McMurdo:
Condition ("Con") 3: perfectly nice weather, good visibility, no high-speed winds. No restrictions on travel.
Condition 2: High winds, low visibility, and/or low temperatures can cause us to go Con 2, where travel is restricted except for work/official business. Usually we'll go Con 2 for visibility from the wind kicking up snow.
Condition 1: AKA Weather That Can Actually Kill You. No, Really. This is the weather that involves no visibility, winds strong enough to blow you over (or to blow a sharp object into you), and/or temperatures cold enough to freeze you solid. They try not to issue Con 1 unless they have to, because once it's called you can't leave whatever building your in... which is great if you're stuck in your room in 155 (where the galley is), but sucks for anyone else. Con 1's don't usually last very long, though.
We're Con 2 this morning, and have been for a few hours now. Hopefully winds let up soon, though, because it's a pain to walk to the warehouses constantly in this!
