05.09.13
A Stormy Finish


After several weeks of survey flights the IceBridge team has returned from the Arctic and have started processing collected data and planning for the Antarctic campaign coming up later this year.

IceBridge researchers planned to follow up the Apr. 26 survey of northern Greenland glaciers with a mission to measure sea ice in the Fram Strait. But the final week of the campaign brought a change to what had been almost perfect weather for the past several weeks. IceBridge personnel soon found themselves having to stay inside due to strong storm winds.

Weather conditions in northern Greenland are often harsh and can be hard to predict. Because high winds, limited visibility and cold temperatures can be dangerous Thule Air Base uses a classification system that spells out what personnel are allowed to do. Arctic storms are rated from a Storm Condition Normal through Storm Conditions Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta, with Delta representing the most serious. For about two days Thule experienced high winds, with gusts nearing 100 miles per hour in some areas. The wind and lack of visibility due to blowing snow put Thule Air Base under Storm Condition Charlie, meaning everyone but essential personnel is to stay indoors.

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› Read more about the IceBridge 2013 Arctic campaign.