The “Northern Passage” recently sought shelter in a fjord in South Greenland. In this interview, our expedition meteorologist Marc De Keyser casts light on recent weather developments and explains why this defensive move was necessary. He shares insights about his speciality, which is reflected in the name of his website Weather4Expeditions.com
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“There is a quickly deepening depression over the Labrador Sea. Friday morning it appeared for the first time on my model maps, which lit my red alert. The next run confirmed this development, with wind speeds up to 40 knots near Cape Farewell. This is the southernmost point of Greenland and it is renowned for its treacherous currents, which makes navigation there very dangerous – comparable to Cape Horn, the most southern point of South America,” explains the experienced weather man.

Safety is paramount
“You do not want to round Cape Farewell under severe gale conditions! So I gave the guys a heads up about this, and advised them to look for shelter in one of the fjords before the gale started. However, the latest run of my simulation programs shows that the track of the depression is centred farther south, which would make the wind conditions around the southern point of Greenland slightly calmer.

“So I have sent them this update and mentioned an alternative: to head for Prins Christiansund and – as soon as conditions allow – continue eastwards.

“From my point of view, safety is always the most important issue. I don’t see this Arctic circumnavigation as a race between “Peter 1” and the “Northern Passage”. I think it is a benefit that both vessels are so close; if something were to happen they would be able to assist each other, as they have in fact already done in various matters.”

Tailor-made forecasts
“How this is different from “ordinary” meteorology? Well, you do of course have to be a trained and experienced meteorologist in order to produce tailor-made weather forecasts for people who are engaged in activities in the most extreme locations of our planet. In addition you need to understand how expedition people think and what they specifically want.

“As a matter of fact, you need to be a team member yourself and do everything possible to make that expedition a success. And continuity is very important. Continuity means that you watch and study the weather patterns and model runs every day, in the morning and in the evening. It is not just a job that you quickly do between your main course and dessert.”

Challenging the North Atlantic
“Every kind of expedition has its own specific challenges. For the “Northern Passage” the most important challenge is to get the guys safely back home. This must never be forgotten,” says Marc.

“This last leg, especially, will be quite difficult because they have to cross the North Atlantic, which from a meteorological point of view is a ‘motorway for frontal depressions’. In other words, in this part of the Atlantic, and especially now during the autumn, depressions can form quickly and explosively, deepening as they move toward Europe. So at this stage of the expedition, it is even more important to study each and every run carefully.”
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Read the full interview.

Position update 15.39 CEST: 60.0544 N, 42.82813 W We’re on the move again!

Position update 23.26 CEST: 60.05485 N, 40.85522 W
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The last iceberg – we hope!

Børge says farewell to the glaciers of Greenland, and voices silent appreciation for his warm woollen underwear from Devold.
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Expedition Report, 19.23:
“Finally – we’re on the last leg to Norway! We came to the Danish weather station close to Cape Farewell late last night and were greeted with a table full of delicious Danish food. That really made us long for home. It was a very warm welcome, indeed. And even though our plan was to set sail by the break of dawn, who could say no to a Danish Sunday breakfast?

After all, we are here on an adventure and to explore, so we accepted the invitation and enjoyed yet another fantastic meal and good conversation at the weather station.

It was noon before we set sail and venture out into the open sea again. Just outside the coast we encountered a huge iceberg. It was beautiful! But we must admit that we hope that this was our final farewell to icebergs. These giants float around often surrounded by icy bits that are not so nice to run into in the middle of the night.

We’re crossing our fingers and hoping that the crossing won’t be too stormy. It’s strange to think that this is the last ocean we have to cross before we are back home.

It seems like an eternity since we left Norway.”

Best regards from
the “Northern Passage”
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At the weather station, looking down towards the harbour.

Who can decline the temptation of a full Danish breakfast? We certainly couldn’t!

Station Master Trygve makes sure the ravens, too, are served a satisfying breakfast.

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Today’s forecast:
Weather: Increasing cloudiness, followed by rain.
Wind: 030–050° at 10–15 knots, after 9.00/12.00 UTC becoming 030–050° at 13–18kt. After 15.00 UTC the wind becomes 340–360° at 18–23 knots, and after 21.00 UTC becoming 300–320° at 20–25 knots.

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Expedition Report, 02 October 22.23 CEST:
“Milestones have been queuing up the last few days. We saw Greenland yesterday – wild and raw landscapes. Huge mountains rose straight up from the coast. This is Viking country, the land where Norse settlers thrived for several hundred years before they disappeared into the unknown, some say around 1500 AD. Also due to the mountains we couldn’t send any satellite messages before now.

Another milestone is that we reached the 60th parallel, which is actually the same as our hometown of Oslo. We haven’t been this far south since end of June, and just around the corner of Greenland now, only one more ocean to cross …

We decided to take a closer look at this magnificent landscape. The whole day we sailed inshore on calm waters in the fjords and channels that cut from west to east through Greenland through Greenland close to Cape Farewell.

It was well worth this little detour – the landscape is stunning! Along the fjords that are several hundred metres deep, the alpine mountains rise almost straight up. Here and there are small Inuit settlements with their colourful houses. Earlier today we visited the small village of Aappilattoq, which lies by a small, narrow and sheltered bay between steep mountains. Children came running down to the pier and have been tumbling around on our boat, and have especially been making good use of the “trampoline” between the hulls. The village store was open and we bought some fresh supplies. An Inuit hunter also gave us a large piece of fresh seal meat, which we have just cooked together with fresh potatoes. Delicious!

Now we are close to the east coast. We will probably anchor at the Danish weather station at Cape Farewell, to wait for the powerful and stormy low-pressure zone to pass. As soon as the winds have died down and become favourable, we will continue east towards Norway, away from iceberg country!”

Best regards,
Børge

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