The weather conditions we encountered down here surprised us greatly.  In every quarter of the Antarctic regions of which we had any information, the conditions had always proved very unsettled.  On the Belgica, in the drift-ice to the west of Graham Land, we always had rough, unpleasant weather.  Nordenskjold’s stay in the regions to the east of the same land gave the same report —­ storm after storm the whole time.  And from the various English expeditions that have visited McMurdo Sound we hear of continual violent winds.  Indeed, we know now that while we were living on the Barrier in the most splendid weather —­ calms or light breezes —­ Scott at his station some four hundred miles to the west of us was troubled by frequent storms, which greatly hindered his work.

I had expected the temperature to remain high, as throughout the winter we could very clearly see the dark sky over the sea.  Whenever the state of the air was favourable, the dark, heavy water-sky was visible in a marked degree, leaving no doubt that a large extent of Ross Sea was open the whole year round.  Nevertheless, the temperature went very low, and without doubt the mean temperature shown by our observations for the year is the lowest that has ever been recorded.  Our lowest temperature, on August 13, 1911, was -74.2deg.F.  For five months of the year we were able to record temperatures below -58deg.F.  The temperature rose with every wind, except the south-west; with that it more usually went down.

We observed the aurora australis many times, but only a few of its appearances were specially powerful.  They were of all possible forms, though the form of ribbon-like bands seemed to be commonest.  Most of the aurorae were multicoloured —­ red and green.

My hypothesis of the solidity of the Barrier —­ that is, of its resting upon underlying land —­ seems to be confirmed at all points by our observations during our twelve months’ stay on it.  In the course of the winter and spring the pack-ice is forced up against the Barrier into pressure-ridges of as much as 40 feet in height.  This took place only about a mile and a quarter from our hut, without our noticing its effect in the slightest degree.  In my opinion, if this Barrier had been afloat, the effect of the violent shock which took place at its edge would not merely have been noticeable, but would have shaken our house.  While building the house, Stubberud and Bjaaland heard a loud noise a long way off, but could feel nothing.  During our whole stay we never heard a sound or felt a movement on this spot.  Another very good proof seems to be afforded by the large theodolite that Prestrud used.  It would take next to nothing to disturb its level —­ a slight change of temperature might be enough.  So delicate an instrument would have soon shown an inclination if the Barrier had been afloat.