Tuesday 16/8
Eruption of weather
It was another warm night, and the morning came with low clouds covering the whole sky. During breakfast preparation outside it started to rain lightly, so I relocated inside the tent to eat. It did not last long, however, and afterwards I returned out to the fire (which had been lit before) and talked with the others. The last two participants to arrive had decided to leave early and were packing up, while the rest of us abandoned Lesson Hall 1 and entered the hut.
Today's first lesson was about wind and cyclones (which is first and foremost a general term for a low-pressure area and its accompanying winds), and the confined space made for a drowsy atmosphere. After a break and another observation we shifted to stability and adiabatics, and again the stale air made me want to close my eyes all the time. Finally it was time for lunch, by which time it was raining more steadily albeit lightly, and I had my meal inside my tent.
Stuor Jierttá in cloud
The rain was increasing, and I lay down with my book for a while before the next observation. More meteorology with a breather (literally) followed, as well as some discussion about SMHI as such. I also found an old Sámi toponym dictionary which I enthusiastically dived into. The rain was a mere drizzle, but the clouds were the lowest yet, and gusts came and went. I prepared dinner inside my tent, but then went outside to eat it, since it was not too bad then.
I read some more in my book before going over to the hut, and it took some time before everyone was gathered, so those of us who arrived first spent the time talking (and, in my case, leafing through the dictionary). Eventually we got around to looking at Hamberg's old equipment, which is still extant – and probably still usable. A long discussion about SFK and its future followed, wherein many good points were raised. The clouds were even lower, and the wind stronger, but the rain light enough to be ignored. I had my snack in my tent, and went to bed around 22:30, shortly after which some substantial gales shook the canvas.
Hamberg's tent (notice pegs!)