Dale Andersen’s Astrobiology Antarctic Status Report: 18 January 2026: Lake Untersee Base Camp Is Operational
Keith:
We just completed the camp last night, and today a storm will move in with 50 mph winds (more?) and perhaps some snow. Should provide a quick test of our handiwork!
The layout is organized to maximize protection for the various tents. We positioned the sea-container to block the major winds out of the SE, so the central camp sits in its lee.
Just downwind of that, the red and red/white Weatherports form the backbone of operations—each is rated to 110 mph and they are now serving as the kitchen tent, a small garage/workshop, the lab and dive tents (all red), plus two personal tents (the same size as the smaller garage/workshop).
In the central area, the three Heimplanet inflatable tents are tucked in and protected from wind on almost every side. Keith’s note: there is an interesting Star Trek connection between the Heimplanet tents at Lake Untersee and “Star Trek Strange New Worlds” from 2024: That Time Star Trek Tents Were Actually Used In Antarctica. The tents used in Strange New Worlds Season 2 episode 8 were made by Hemiplanet – and they have graciously assisted Dale and his crew and sought out their expeditionary expertise. Check out their blog post “Exploring the Frozen Frontier — Dale Andersen’s Antarctic Expedition with the Heimplanet Mavericks and Cave Tent“
Scene with Hemiplanet tents from Star trek Strange New Worlds episode 208 — CBS/Paramount
We also have the 5 BRP Lynx Commander snowmobiles and Yamaha ATV sheltered from SE gusts and parked nose-in toward the south—into the hardest winds we may see—with covers on. The sleds behind the snowmobiles are also tied into the ice with ice-screws. The ATV sits in my sled to hold it down during high winds.
The tents and the platforms they sit on are all anchored into the thick lake ice with guy lines. On key load points we add anchor springs to help dampen the hardest gusts that pound us from time to time. Better to dissipate that energy through a spring than to concentrate it at the sew points and risk fabric failure or tearing.
On the shore, we set a single North Face dome tent (personal) and a pyramid tent for the toilet facility.
Dale
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Weather report for 19-25 January 2026 at Lake Untersee via Gemini AI:
“For the upcoming week at Lake Untersee, Antarctica, expect peak summer conditions characterized by relatively mild temperatures for the region, high UV exposure, and potentially high-velocity winds.
Weekly Forecast: January 19 – January 25, 2026
| Date | Day Condition | High / Low | Wind | Precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, Jan 19 | Mostly Cloudy / Snow | 11°F / 9°F | E 25 mph | 35% Snow |
| Tue, Jan 20 | Snow Showers | 14°F / 9°F | E 25 mph | 35% Snow |
| Wed, Jan 21 | Light Snow | 17°F / 12°F | SE 25 mph | 25% Snow |
| Thu, Jan 22 | Sunny / Partly Cloudy | 17°F / 8°F | SE 18 mph | 10% Snow |
| Fri, Jan 23 | Light Snow | 17°F / 11°F | SE 19 mph | 20% Snow |
| Sat, Jan 24 | Snow Showers | 16°F / 11°F | SE 21 mph | 20% Snow |
| Sun, Jan 25 | Cloudy / Snow Showers | 15°F / 10°F | SE 21 mph | 25% Snow |
Key Weather Factors
- Temperature: Temperatures are trending slightly below the regional January average of 34°F. Highs will hover between 11°F and 17°F, while lows may dip to 8°F.
- Wind & Visibility: Persistent southeasterly winds are common, averaging 18–25 mph. Be prepared for rapid changes in visibility during snow showers.
- Daylight: Expect near 24-hour daylight (the “Midnight Sun”), which is typical for this latitude in January.
- Precipitation: While the region is technically a polar desert, frequent but light snow showers are expected through much of the week.
Operational Notice
For field teams at Lake Untersee, be advised that “blizzard conditions” were recently forecast to potentially begin around Sunday, January 25. Ensure all shelters and tents are secure, as the area can experience sudden, extreme wind events up to 110 mph. For real-time updates and field status, you can monitor Dale Andersen’s Astrobiology Antarctic Status Reports.”
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Keith’s note: Astrobiologist Dale Andersen is heading back in Antarctica at Lake Untersee in January-February 2026 for another field season of research.
- Previous reports
- Astrobiologist Dale Andersen’s Antarctic Field Report: Preview: 2026 Lake Untersee Field Seas
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, limnology, exploraiton, expedition,
