Initially operated year-round, since 1995/6 the station has been open from November to April each year (southern hemisphere summer).

A light railway was constructed in 1963 for unloading stores and large items of machinery.

[4][5] Marine and terrestrial biology is carried out at Signy, particularly looking at the effects of climate change on the southern ocean ecosystems.

Signy Research Station has very long, cold winters (although they are mild for Antarctic standards) and short, cool summers.

The temperature is consistently cold year-round, with August, the coldest month, having a mean of −10.3 °C (13.5 °F) and an average low of −15.6 °C (3.9 °F).