Observing in the Antarctic

The Antarctic environment presents a number of challenges to those involved in making meteorological observations. Extreme cold, strong winds, icing and blowing snow can all adversely affect instruments, making the observer's task a difficult one. In the following section we shall look at problems associated with making measurements using standard meteorological equipment. However, before doing this, we should remember that some important observations cannot be made instrumentally and we still rely on the skill of the human observer for accurate recording of these elements.

Foremost amongst these elements is the observation of cloud cover, height and type. Although satellites can now provide useful cloud climatologies (see Section 3.4) the detail provided by the human observer is still essential for many studies. Accurate estimation of cloud cover at Antarctic stations, as elsewhere, depends on having well-trained and experienced observing staff. Observers at Antarctic stations are usually employed on short-term contracts, spending only one or two years in Antarctica, and are often less experienced than observers working for national weather services. Without guidance from more experienced colleagues, it can be difficult for them to recognise any subjective bias that may be creeping into their observations. These problems can be overcome to some extent by ensuring that incoming observers have a reasonable ‘hand over’ period with outgoing staff. The British system of two-winter contracts ensures that this happens, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to find observers prepared to commit themselves to this length of time in Antarctica.