Dale Andersen Reports on Lake Untersee Base Camp Weather, Jan 21, 2026

In January 2026, significant research activities are taking place at Lake Untersee in Antarctica. The area has experienced varying weather conditions, including low clouds, drifting snow, and strong winds. The wind speeds recently peaked at approximately 30 m/s (about 67 mph). However, improved weather conditions emerged, allowing for effective fieldwork.

Dale Andersen’s Research Updates

Dale Andersen, a prominent astrobiologist, is leading the current research season at Lake Untersee. His team has been actively collecting glacial ice and taking air samples aimed at capturing environmental DNA. They also resumed work on instruments deployed in the lake during the previous season, which are used to measure dissolved oxygen and light levels.

Weather Station Setup

The team has implemented a weather station, the Ambient WS-4000, situated near their base camp. Once online, this station will provide real-time updates on local weather conditions, enhancing the data collection process.

Research Legacy

Dale Andersen and his colleague have been sharing updates from Antarctica since 1996. They were pioneers in using a web server located in a private condo to deliver information about their research activities. As Andersen continues to study the unique ecosystem of Lake Untersee, his contributions to astrobiology and environmental science remain invaluable.

• Location: Lake Untersee, Antarctica
• Researcher: Dale Andersen
• Wind Speed: Peaked at 30 m/s (~67 mph)
• Activities:
  • Collecting glacial ice
  • Taking air samples for environmental DNA
  • Melting instruments for dissolved oxygen and light measurements
• Weather Station: Ambient WS-4000 for real-time monitoring
• Research History: Ongoing updates since 1996

This current field season is crucial for advancing our understanding of extreme environments and their ecological significance.