The Sun, the Population of McMurdo has Increased and a New Storm is on the Way

The storm that started last Saturday night finally left us on Thursday morning. Wednesday was quite an exciting day. Antarctica was really showing her strength with hurricane force winds and blowing snow making for whiteout conditions. The wind noise and shaking buildings were awesome but scary. Whenever the winds somewhat abated there was travel allowed between some buildings by use of a rope system that the Search and Rescue Team had laid out. All movement was coordinated with dispatch at the firehouse.

Thursday mid-morning the weather cleared and the winds dropped down to 20 knots. A few of us had arranged a boondoggle for a sunrise trip to Arrival Heights. Since the weather cleared we left town at noon. At first it was overcast but then the clouds cleared and the sun appeared as the dozen of us cheered. It had been exactly four months since we had last set our eyes on this beautiful sight. Even though it was windy and biting cold we felt like "tanning". We all had a sack lunch and ate while we took in some rays. A few hours later the sun set. 

Yesterday evening The first Winfly C-17 landed and the population swelled by 120 people. There are five more cargo and passenger flights scheduled. By next Monday McMurdo will swell to 450 people.  We will then be isolated for the month of September which is supposedly the worst weather of the winter.

Mt. Erebus on the right.

The island to the left of the sun is called "Inaccessible Island". It was named by Robert Falcon Scott because of the difficulty in reaching it.

Glorious!

I'm on the left.

Another storm is on the way.

Regional Summary	8/24/2012 5:25:21 AM
Welcome to our new comers to beautiful McMurdo by the sea. Playground of the rich and famous. Now grab a shovel and get ready to dig out as snow and high winds develop throughout the area today and continue through tomorrow. A rather large Low pressure system looks to throw out an anchor pummeling the region for the next 24 to 48 hours. Stay Warm McMurdo......