by Fishgate@sanap | Apr 1, 2025 | Announcement, Meteorology, News, Oceanography, SANAP
ICSHMO 2025 – International Conference on Southern Hemisphere Meteorology and Oceanography (ICSHMO) 2025 – Participation from the SANAP research community. Below a few presentations by researchers as well as session chairs etc. Visit the ICSHMO website for the full and final program.
Wayne de Jager – Increased Rotational Coupling Between Antarctic Sea Ice and the Atmosphere Over the Last 30 Years- Sebastiaan Swart – The oceans imprint on air sea fluxes: Drivers of turbulent heat flux over the Agulhas Current
- Tarron Lamont – Monitoring Western Boundary Current System variability with satellite altimetry
- Riesna R. Audh – Rafting of Growing Antarctic Sea Ice Enhances In-Ice Biogeochemical Activity in Winter
- Robyn Verrinder – Antarctic MIZ observation platforms: Interdisciplinary approaches to resolve seasonal sea ice variability
- Tamaryn Morris – 1. Sustained ocean observations for the Agulhas Current: Realizing the Benefits of Ocean Knowledge through Co-Design. 2. Capturing a cyclonic eddy, and cross-shelf dynamics, in the Agulhas Bight during an early retroflection of the Agulhas Current.
- Magata Mangatane – Intercomparison of Antarctic sea-ice thickness estimates from satellite altimetry and assessment over the 2019 data-rich year.
- Sharon Nicholson – The seasonal cycle in Southern Hemisphere Africa
- Rutger Marquart – Coupled dynamics and thermodynamics modelling of heterogeneous sea ice and ocean waves
- Janine Schoombie – Mapping within-island-scale wind variation on Marion Island
- Christopher Reason – Multiyear La Niña events, the Mozambique Channel, and rainfall over eastern Africa
- Thulwaneng Mashifane – Trait–Based Adjustments: Key to Improving Bloom Seasonal Cycle in the Subantarctic Zone
- Sandy Thomalla – VeGAS-pCO2: Versatile glider, atmospheric and ship high precision pCO2 gas flux analyser
- Amber Sneddon – Atmospheric River climatology for the South Atlantic Basin based on modern image-processing-based tracking.
- Marcel Du Plessis – Storms regulate Southern Ocean summer warming
- Sandy Thomalla -Southern Ocean Observing System for sustained and coordinated observations in a changing world
- Thomas Ryan-Keogh – How can we effectively manage the impact of climate change on Antarctic ecosystems?
- Sandy Thomalla – Climate-driven change to phytoplankton blooms across the global ocean
- Nicolette Chang – Investigating Heat and Carbon Exchange in the Southern Ocean: Insights from a Mesoscale-Resolving
- Sarah Du Preez – Environmental influence on zooplankton variability around sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands
- Sarah-Anne Nicholson – The impact of storms on CO2 and heat exchange across the Southern Ocean
- Thato Mtshali – Wintertime distribution and mixed layer dissolved iron budget in the south Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean
- Miranda Sitofile – The seasonal iron supply in the Southern Ocean
- Chris Reason – Interannual and intraseasonal variability in the Southern Hemisphere
Session chairs, speakers and MC
- Plenary Session – MC: Warren Joubert
- Invited Speaker: Issufo Halo
- Session: Southern Hemisphere Boundary Currents. Chair: Tamaryn Morris
- Session: Polar. Chair: Wayne de Jager. Co-Chair: Magata Mangatane
- Session: Emerging Technologies in Ocean Observing. Chair: Dr Tamaryn Morris
- Session: Southern Ocean BGC. Chair: Thato Mtshali. Co-Chair: Sarah-Anne Nicholson
- Session: Southern Ocean – BGC. Chair: Sandy Thomalla. Co-Chair: Thato Mtshali
by Ria Olivier | Mar 23, 2025 | Antarctica, Gough Island, International Days, Marion Island, Meteorology, Overwintering Team, Research
Each year, on March 23rd, the global community observes World Meteorological Day, commemorating the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1950. This day highlights the pivotal role meteorology plays in ensuring the safety and well-being of societies worldwide. In 2025, we focus on the indispensable contributions of meteorologists stationed at the South African National Antarctic Programme’s (SANAP) remote research stations: SANAE IV in Antarctica, Marion Island, and Gough Island.
On this World Meteorological Day, we extend our gratitude to the meteorologists of SANAP’s overwintering teams. Their unwavering commitment and resilience in some of the most challenging environments ensure that we continue to deepen our understanding of Earth’s atmospheric processes, ultimately contributing to the safety and well-being of societies worldwide.
SANAE IV (South African National Antarctic Expedition IV): Located at 71°S, 2°W in Antarctica, SANAE IV. Meteorological observations are conducted year-round, providing critical data on atmospheric conditions in this remote region.
Marion Island: Situated at 46°S, 37°E in the Southern Indian Ocean. The island’s meteorological station collects essential weather data, contributing to climate studies and aiding in the understanding of global weather patterns.
Gough Island: Located at 40°S, 9°W in the South Atlantic Ocean, Gough Island has hosted a South African weather station since 1956. The station conducts hourly climate observations and upper-air ascents, playing a crucial role in monitoring weather systems that can impact South Africa.
Meteorologists assigned to these stations undertake year-long deployments, known as overwintering periods, during which they perform several critical functions:
Surface Observations: Conducting regular measurements of temperature, humidity, wind speed, and other atmospheric parameters to monitor and document local weather conditions.
Upper-Air Observations: Launching weather balloons equipped with instruments to collect data on atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity at various altitudes, which is vital for understanding weather patterns and forecasting.
Equipment Maintenance: Ensuring that all meteorological instruments and equipment are calibrated and functioning correctly to maintain the accuracy and reliability of collected data.
Data Management: Recording, analyzing, and transmitting collected meteorological data to the South African Weather Service (SAWS) and other relevant organizations for use in weather forecasting and climate research.
The data collected by SANAP’s overwintering meteorologists contribute significantly to:
Weather Forecasting: Providing accurate and timely data that enhance the precision of weather forecasts, benefiting maritime navigation, aviation, and local communities.
Climate Research: Offering valuable insights into climate variability and change, particularly in the understudied southern hemisphere regions.
Environmental Monitoring: Supporting studies on the interactions between the atmosphere and the unique ecosystems of Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands, aiding in the conservation of these fragile environments.
by Ria Olivier | Nov 9, 2023 | Gough Island, Meteorology, Overwintering Team, Research, South Atlantic
More about the South African Weather Service team on the recent Gough Island takeover expedition.
L-R: James Joubert Burns, Velelo Mazele, Samkelisiwe Thwala, Khuliso Collen Maphaha, Fulufhelo Brenda Khobo and Kelcey Maewashe.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has been part of the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) from the beginning, when the first team was appointed to stay on Gough Island. The metkassies (meteorological overwintering team members) continue to contribute to a long history of data collection on Gough Island. This includes an automatic weather station that measures temperature, wind speed and direction, humidity, and pressure.
What can the new overwintering team on the island look forward to?
The metkassies when on shift do visual observations which includes cloud height and type, horizontal visibility, precipitation type, weather present and past and sea temperature. Formal observation is done every hour from 06:00GMT until 15:00GMT and then every 3 hours during night shift. This is done every day of the week.
| TEAM | South African Weather Service (SAWS) |
| Project Name | Atmospheric and Ocean interaction studies |
| Principal Investigator | Dr. Jonas Mphepya |
Takeover Team Leader
| Samkelisiwe Thwala |
| Takeover Technical Support Member | Velelo Mazele |
| Senior Meteorological Technician (Gough68) | Khuliso Collen Maphaha |
| Assistant Meteorological Technician (Gough68) | Mphumzi Brooklyn Zilindile |
| Assistant Meteorological Technician (Gough68) | Tshililo Kharivha |
| Senior Meteorological Technician (Gough69) | Kelcey Maewashe |
| Assistant Meteorological Technician (Gough69) | James Joubert Burns |
| Assistant Meteorological Technician (Gough69) | Fulufhelo Brenda Khobo |
Check out the SAWS Marine Portal
Follow SAWS on Facebook | Follow SAWS on X | Follow SAWS on Instagram
Project information supplied by SAWS. Images supplied by Mbulaheni Kelcey Maewashe and James Burns (G69 team members).
Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure, 09 November 2023.
by Ria Olivier | Oct 6, 2023 | Announcement, Antarctica, Jobs, Marion Island, Meteorology, Overwintering Team, SANAP, Southern Ocean, Stations, sub-Antarctic
The following vacancies are advertised by The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) for positions based on Antarctica and Marion Island.
Antarctica, SANAE IV (the 4th South African National Antarctic Expedition Station):
The successful applicant will spend a full year (December 2023 to February 2025) at SANAE base. There is no option to return to South Africa before February 2025.
Marion Island:
The successful applicant will spend a full year (April 2024 to May 2025) at Marion Island. There is no option to return to South Africa before May 2025.
| Job Title | Station | Period | Closing Date | Job Advert |
| Assistant Meteorological Technician 2 posts | Marion Island | April 2025 to May 2026 | 24 February 2025 | Click here |
| Mouse-Free Marion (MFM) Project Field Assistants | Marion Island | April 2025 to May 2026 | 28 November 2024 | Click here |
Anche Louw, Co-Principal Investigator of Antarctic Legacy of South Africa and Digital Marketing and Communications Manager of the South African Polar Research Infrastructure, 06 October 2023.
by Ria Olivier | Mar 23, 2023 | Commemorative Days, International Days, Marion Island, Meteorology, Overwintering Team, SANAP, Southern Ocean, sub-Antarctic
Message from the Metkassies (Meteorological Technicians) currently on Marion Island.
Happy World Meteorological Day from the Metkassies on the 79th Marion Island overwintering team.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has been running a Meteorological station at Marion Island since 1950s.
As meteorological technicians, we preform monthly conformance and verification of the Automatic Weather Station (AWS) instruments.
This is normally done on a monthly basis to verify, check and maintain the weather station to ensure that the required standards of the South African Weather Service (SAWS) are met. In South Africa, SAWS is the voice for weather and climate forecasting and also a member of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Happy Meteorological Day from the Metkassies on the 79th Marion Island overwintering team.
Senior Metkassie: T. Sikhwari
Assistants Metkassies: T. Tshitavhe and S. Faltein
Read more about the Marion met station here
Text: Thendo Sikhwari, Senior Meteorological Technician, M79
Edited: Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI), 23 March 2023
by Ria Olivier | Mar 8, 2023 | Commemorative Days, International Days, Marion Island, Meteorology, Overwintering Team, Southern Ocean, sub-Antarctic, Team member, Women in Science
In celebration of International Women’s Day, we came in contact with Tanganedzani “Tanga” Tshitavhe. She is an Assistant Meteorological Technician, for the South African Weather Service (SAWS), on the sub-Antarctic Marion Island.
This is a strong woman, with passion for her work and the sub-Antarctic environment. She also has a great sense of humour.
This is her message for all women out there:
“Today we celebrate the resilience, strength, grace, and beauty of women all around the world. On this day, let’s remember the importance of equity, work towards creating a more inclusive world, and honour the contributions and achievements of women”.
I mentioned she has a great sense of humour:
Today we are having a clear sky (sunshine) on Marion Island and as the Weather-Lady, here is a Sun pun.
Question:
Why is the Sun not very heavy to carry?
Answer:
Because it is very light
Wishing you all a happy International Women’s Day day filled with joy and laughter.
Text and photos supplied by: Tanganedzani Tshitavhe (Marion79)
Edited: Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure (Data, Products and Society Node), 08 March 2023.
