Editor’s note: Stephen Springston, a scientist from Brookhaven National Laboratory, headed to the STORMVEX deployment site in October to set up the Aerosol Observing System (AOS). This week, we will feature blog posts about his experience in Colorado.

Thar she snows! When the instrument integration was done during August and September on Long Island, it was hard to keep in mind that snow was coming. Worse, there was no way to test for the conditions we expected. Fortunately many on the BNL team have experience in cold-weather deployments and the greater ARM community provided valuable advice and suggestions. Even with all that preparation, it was with some nervousness that we greeted the first snow fall.

Steamboat Springs Ski Resort (who graciously made their facilities available) began to groom the ski runs around this time and requested we not drive. Fortunately we came equipped for snow and were glad for the opportunity to see how all the cold-weather preparations and planning would hold up. Now this was only a first dusting, but all systems passed with flying colors. The de-iced rain hat worked perfectly. This view of the rear of the AOS shows the aft vestibule containing the air conditioners, the stainless steel pump enclosure and, at the bottom right, the emergency exit. Because ANL designed the exterior for future marine deployments, the exposed materials are stainless and powder–coated steel. On the other hand, this mentor had to depend on polypropylene, nylon, and leather hiking boots for protection on the ascent. The AOS provided a warm, dry interior to catch his breath as well as protection for the operating instruments.