Dale Andersen’s Astrobiology Antarctic Status Report: 21 January 2026: Lake Untersee Base Camp Weather

Hi Keith,

The past couple of days brought low clouds, some drifting snow, and steady winds that peaked around 30 m/s (~67 mph).

Today, the sun made a welcome return and although the wind stayed brisk through much of the day, conditions were stable enough for us to get some solid work done. We collected glacial ice, took air samples for environmental DNA, and began melting out the instruments we deployed in the lake last season—those measuring dissolved oxygen and light.

Also, just so you’re aware, we’ve got a small Ambient WS-4000 weather station set up near camp. When it’s online, it shares our current weather conditions in real time.

— Dale —

Keith’s note: You can see the temperature and wind data as of 9:00 pm EST 21 January 2026

Satellite image as of 9:15 pm EST

Keith’s note: These are weather shots from The Ultima Ice Airstrip and Novo Station from earlier in the day.

Keith’s note: Astrobiologist Dale Andersen is heading back in Antarctica at Lake Untersee in January-February 2026 for another field season of research.

Dale and I have been proving research updates – from Antarctica – since 1996. We think we actually had the first webserver (located in my old condo) updated from Antarctica. More details here: Dale Andersen’s 1996 Antarctic Field Research Photo Albums

Astrobiology, exobiology,