9 October, 1997

>09 OCTOBER 97

>

>REGIONAL WEATHER SUMMARY: Glacial outflow dominates the western Ross ice >shelf.

>

>TODAY

>SKY: Mostly cloudy

>VISIBILITY: Unrestricted

>WINDS: Northeast 10-15 knots

>MAX TEMP: -10C/+14F. LOWEST WIND CHILL:-27C/-16F.

>

>TONIGHT

>SKY: Mostly cloudy occasionally partly cloudy.

>VISIBILITY: Unrestricted.

>WINDS: Northeast 8 to 12 knots.

>MIN TEMP: -18C/00F. LOWEST WIND-CHILL: -35C/-30F.

>

>TOMORROW

>SKY: Mostly cloudy becoming cloudy with snow and blowing snow developing by mid >afternoon.

>VISIBILITY: Unrestricted lowering 1 to 3miles in snow and blowing snow. >WINDS: Southeast 10 to 15 knots with gusts to 30 after noon. >MAX TEMP: -09C/+16F. LOWEST WIND-CHILL: -32C/-26F.

>

>SCOTT BASE 24HR TEMPERATURE FORECAST

>LOW TONIGHT -22C HIGH TOMORROW -14C

>

>YESTERDAY'S EXTREME - 08 OCTOBER 1997

>MAX TEMP: -10C/+14F

>MIN TEMP: -16C/+03F

>PEAK WIND: 32 KNOTS

>LOWEST WIND CHILL: -38C/-36F

>

> I finally figured out how to grab the above weather information >from the McMurdo Intranet and will try to incorporate it into the remainder >of my journal entries.

>

> Today has been a very atypical day in several ways. For one thing, >the weather is absolutely beautiful. This is the clearest and brightest >day I've seen so far. I've tried to take advantage of it by taking some >McMurdo photos while the bright sun lasts.

>

> Today is also atypical because Dr. Donal Manahan, the Principal >Investigator for this research team, is preparing to leave the Antarctic >and return to Southern California. He has been here since August and must >now attend to other matters as well as oversee his Antarctic research. >Most of today is therefore occupied with meetings concerning the research >strategies for the period without Dr. Manahan.

>

> Meals are a big social event at McMurdo. At the galley you are >able to meet people from just about anywhere. These people may be >scientists, support workers, government officials, military personnel, or >"none of the above." Conversation is lively and very interesting due to >the varied backgrounds of so many different people.

>

> I wrote previously about how McMurdo is such a different kind of >town because it exists only to serve science. Another aspect of life here >which makes McMurdo atypical is the kind of people that make up the support >groups. It is not uncommon, for example, to learn that the janitor has a >Ph.D. or some other advanced degree. Many people seek these jobs because >it may be their only opportunity to experience the Antarctic. Some are >here an entire year at a time. I met one person who is completing his >seventh one year term. Sometimes a husband and wife both come. If there >are no children this could be very attractive. The living expenses are >almost next to nothing since rooms, meals, clothing, laundry, and many >supplies are free. This is an excellent way to save money and at the same >time experience something few others can.

>

>Things to ponder:

>

>1. What would you want to experience if you had an opportunity to come to >Antarctica? Why?

>

>2. Even though McMurdo exists only to serve science, artists, writers, >poets, philosophers, musicians, and others come here for professional >reasons. Why?

>

>3. Think about what you would like to get out of life. What is most >important to you? How do you plan to make these things become reality? >What sacrifices must be made? These things are called "trade-offs." >

>4. What trade-offs have people made in order to come to Antarctica? >

>5. What trade-offs might you have to make if your life is to proceed the >way you would like it to?

>