After an extended absence of three years, 2024 has seen a return of Bureau meteorologists to Davis Station. With aviation operations only now just returning to Davis since COVID, this has seen the need for a local forecasting service at Davis Station once again. Two helicopters (a BK and B3, operated by Helires) along with two fixed wing aircraft (a Twin Otter and Basler, operated by Kenn Borek Air) have been supporting resupply operations and scientific endeavours based out of Davis.
Louise Carroll and Benjamin Hutton are the two forecasters based at Davis for the start of the summer season. After providing marine route forecasts for the Nuyina’s journey south, Ben and Louise have been supporting aviation operations out of Davis, including moving cargo and personnel out to Law Base (located in the Larsemann Hills), and transporting cargo and personnel to as far away as Mawson Station. Along with supporting aviation, station forecasts have also been provided so that expeditioners can plan their days knowing what weather to expect.
The weather at Davis was sterling for the first few days of resupply, with long sunny days and light winds. Average temperatures for Davis through October are typically -8.8 degrees Celsius, though this October saw temperatures averaging around -7.7 degrees. The length of the days (i.e. daylight) for the Davis resupply were 17 hours long. Once refuelling and the water transfer were complete, the weather turned and the new expeditioners got a small taste of the more stereotypical Antarctic weather with blizz-like conditions, with blowing snow in 40+ knot winds reducing visibility go a few hundred metres.
The two helicopters are returning to Hobart on the Nuyina, while the Basler has flown onto Zhongshan to support the Chinese Antarctic Program. The Twin Otter will remain at Davis to support the Australian Antarctic Program until late November when the sea ice (on which it is parked) degrades significantly. This is also when the remaining expeditioners supporting aviation operations, including the two Davis forecasters, are transferred from Davis to Casey Station.
