Antarctica Weather Danger Classification Explained

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 staffs vary both by stations and by nations.^[1]

McMurdo Station (USA)^{[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 NaNmiles, 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 NaN°F, 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 100feet, 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 NaN°F 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 NaNmiles, sustained for one minute or longer Windspeed greater than, sustained for one minute or longer Air temperature and/or wind chill of NaN°F 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 100feet, sustained for one minute or longer Windspeed over, sustained for one minute or longer Air temperature and/or wind chill below NaN°F, sustained for one minute or longer

Scott Base (New Zealand)^[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 300m (1,000feet) Wind less than or equal to Air temperature and wind chill are above NaN°C
Weather Condition 2	Must meet all of the following criteria: Visibility is greater than 30m (100feet) Windspeed is no greater than Air temperature and wind chill are no colder than NaN°C And also must meet one or more of the following criteria: Visibility less than 300m (1,000feet) Windspeed is greater than or equal to Air temperature and/or wind chill of NaN°C or below
Weather Condition 1	Must meet one or more of the following criteria: Visibility less than 30m (100feet) Windspeed over Air temperature and/or wind chill are below NaN°C

See also: Climate of Antarctica.

References

1. Web site: 2019-02-18 . Antarctic weather – Australian Antarctic Program . 2024-03-31 . www.antarctica.gov.au . en.
2. Web site: Welcome To McMurdo Station . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140910200435/http://www.nsf.gov/about/contracting/rfqs/support_ant/docs/mcmurdo_guide2006.pdf#6 . 2014-09-10 . U.S. National Science Program.
3. Web site: Field Manual for the U.S. Antarctic Program . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070306214057/http://www.usap.gov/travelAndDeployment/documents/FieldManual-Chapt10Weather.pdf#4 . 2007-03-06 . U.S. Antarctic Program.
4. News: Howard . George . 1997-10-18 . Winter Storm: Weathering the Conditions . 2024-03-31 . . 8.
5. Web site: Ferrier . Cara . Walker . Meghan . Webster . Kaija . Mastro . Jim . Field Manual for the U.S. Antarctic Program . 2024-03-31 . United States Antarctic Program .
6. Web site: Weather Condition Definitions . 2024-03-31 . lambda.gsfc.nasa.gov.
7. Book: Field Manual: 2011-2013 . 2012 . . 2012 . New Zealand . https://web.archive.org/web/20150115054010/http://antarcticanz.govt.nz/images/downloads/publications/FieldHandbookA6Aug12.pdf#37 . PDF . 2015-01-15.