Alex writes: After the sun disappeared for the last time we expected temperatures to drop below -80 degrees Celsius.  On Thursday, we woke up to find the temperature had changed overnight by 40 degrees Celsius – but instead of getting colder it had gotten warmer, reaching a ‘scorching’  -28 degrees Celsius. This is warm for Concordia Station even in summer!

Temperature over 24 hours at Concordia. Credits: Concordia weather updates provided by PNRA/ ENEA

I ran outside and threw my hat into the air.  It felt like a summer’s day for us who are used to living at -60 degrees Celsius or lower. Perhaps the madness has started.

We could see  that the sky had clouded over even in the Antarctic night. The clouds brought the warmth. The temperature increase came with an increase in air pressure so with each breath came more oxygen and for once less strain on bodies.

Pressure increase over 24 hours at Concordia. Credits: Concordia weather updates provided by PNRA/ ENEA

I stood outside and breathed deeply.  Despite being minus 28 degrees Celsius, it felt as near to home as I had ever been since arriving here.