LAT = latitude. This is the distance in degrees above or below the equator: on this expedition, I'm always above the equator, around 64 degrees North. If the number increases, I've moved North a little; if it decreases, I've moved South a little. Since my expedition is mostly West-East-West, I'll move more in longitude than latitude. We are using the traditional 'degrees, minutes, and seconds' system this time (rather than decimal degres) for a number of technical reasons.

LONG = longitude. This is the distance in degrees from the Greenwich Meridian in England, or Longitude 0. This number will be changing the most, as I make my way Eastwards from Barrow, and then back to Barrow. At the start, I'll be around 156 degrees 50 minutes West, and I'll work my way to roughly 152 degrees 10 minutes west (cape Halkett).

ELEV = elevation. This is my elevation in feet. I should always be at sea level or a few feet above it, as the terrain is quite flat here.

TEMP = temperature. This is the temperature in degrees Farenheit. Windchill is also computed. Windchill sounds bad, and can be, but remember it only effects exposed flesh, and I will be well-dressed with a variety of frostbite masks, goggles, mitts, and so on.

PRESS = atmospheric pressure. This is the atmospheric pressure in millibars (explained further below). Atmospheric pressure changes as weather changes: lower pressure trends indicate approaching poor weather, while higher pressure trends indicate clearing. Average pressure on an average day near sea level just about anywhere on the earth is around 1000mb. In a bad storm in Iceland, I once registered a low of 888mb -- about what you get in a tropical hurricane. The best conditions are clear (high pressure) and cold (well below freezing).

WIND VEL = wind velocity. This is the wind velocity in miles per hour.

WIND DIR = wind direction. This is the average wind direction of the day. As with several weather reports, I will record at morning, noon and evening, but on the web page I'm only reporting the daily averages. Wind direction is noted as the direction from which the wind is blowing. This is reported in the standard 16 'points of the compass', for example NW for Northwest, and SSE for South/Southeast. The following compass 'card' indicates these points:

CLOUD = cloud cover. This is an approximation of the amount of clear sky visible. I use a code devised by British meteorologists:

0=0 eighths (completely clear sky)
1=1/8th
2=2/8ths
3=3/8ths
4=4/8ths
5=5/8ths
6=6/8ths
7=7/8ths
8=8/8ths (completely overcast sky)
9=sky obscured (low fog: cannot see sky)

VIS = visibility. Average daily distance I can see:

0=Zero (heavy fog or whiteout)
1=up to 10 feet
2=up to 50 feet
3=up to 100 feet
4=up to 500 feet
5=over 500 feet

PRECIP = daily precipitation. This indicates the nature of precipitation. This is a code I have devised based on terminology developed by NOAA, modified slightly for my own purposes. The arctic is actually quite dry and there should not be much precipitation.

0=No Precipitation
1=Rain
2=Freezing Rain
3=Snow
4=Heavy Snow
5=Blizzard (loose snow being blown through the air)

SURF = predominant surface of the day. This is a code I have devised for conditions I exepct to encounter: it will be modified as I learn about this environment on this first expedition:

0=firm snow on tundra (I am on land)
1=loose snow on tundra (I am on land)
2=mixed loose and firm snow on tundra (I am on land)
4=lake or river ice (I am on a frozen lake or river on land)
5=inlet/bay sea ice (I am on the frozen surface of a bay or inlet)
6=coastal fast ice, firm (I am on sea ice locked to the shore)
7=coastal fast ice, broken (I am on sea ice locked to the shore)

ACTIVITY = predominant activity of the day. This is a code I have devised specifically for this expedition:

0=None; pinned down by poor weather / storm
1=None; remained in camp to repair gear
2=None; remained in camp for medical reason
3=None; remained in camp to rest
4=Travelled; poor day (not as far as I would have liked)
5=Travelled; average day (abour as far as I would have liked)
6=Travelled; very good day (exceeded my expectations for the day)

D TODAY = Distance traveled today, in miles.

D TO DATE = Distance traveled so far, in miles.