Today, we send snowy greetings from Longyearbyen. It’s been a few days since we last flew, but let’s start with the last research flight. For April 4th, we designed another survey for RF12 to the origin region of a cold air outbreak, including a Ny-Ålesund overpass on the way back to Longyearbyen. To further investigate the air mass and cloud development from over the sea ice, across the marginal sea ice zone, to the open ocean, a dropsonde was launched on each leg.
The flight went according to plan, and all the researchers, including two for whom it was their first flight, returned with smiles on their faces. However, during the debriefing, the post-flight review we always hold with everyone after landing, came the sobering news: one of the aircraft’s altimeters unfortunately broke, and we had to wait for a replacement part that wouldn’t arrive and be installed until Monday – so, no flying this Easter.

We didn’t let it spoil our mood, though. These things happen, and it’s actually not that uncommon during longer measurement campaigns. So, on Easter Sunday, we hiked to an ice cave in the Longyearbreen Glacier. On our way up the glacier, the Easter Bunny even surprised us twice with hidden chocolate bunnies and eggs. That must have given us enough energy to trudge the 350 meters of elevation gain. Once we arrived at the ice cave, equipped with headlamps, we went inside, and the interior was truly breathtaking. Everything glittered, the walls were covered with thick, crystal-clear ice, and beautiful icicles and formations made the cave look magical.
Back in the sunlight, we enjoyed some homemade carrot cake before heading back. It was really tiring, but it was worth it! We ended the day with a relaxing dinner together.

A tiny glimmer of hope remained on Monday that we might be able to fly on Tuesday, so a small group got together to plan the flight. It would have been a fantastic flight over Kongsfjorden, the fjord where Ny-Ålesund and the AWIPEV research station are located, but even during the planning phase, we were aware that the weather conditions weren’t looking good. This morning, our fears were confirmed with a “no go” for today and at least tomorrow.
So today we’re spending our time analyzing data, segmenting flights, writing blog posts, and compiling flight reports.

Keep your fingers crossed that the weather will soon be suitable for flying again so that Polar 5 can take off with some of us on board. Until then, at least we can enjoy the beautiful fresh snow.

See you soon!