Weather in Antarctica | Understand The Different Seasons

All Antarctica veterans will tell you this: the weather in Antarctica can get really wild, really fast. But that does not mean venturing into Antarctica is like walking into a freezer at all times. Depending on the time of the year and the location, the temperatures can be enjoyable enough to explore the continent’s incredible beauty.

Compared to the rest of the world, Antarctic weather observation is still in an early stage. Modern weather stations have made their way into the continent only in the last four decades or so. The truth is, that observing Antarctica’s weather is an incredibly challenging task.

Imagine an area of 4,200,000 square kilometres of cold desert swept by snow and icy winds. Setting up posts in various remote spots to deploy scientists are met with extreme weather and logistical challenges. Even though Antarctica has only two seasons, summer and winter, the climate conditions keep varying within such a vast landmass. 

With all that in mind, let us take a closer look at the weather in Antarctica during the summer months.

Antarctica by month: How cold is Antarctica? 

Antarctica can be extremely frigid, but not every region on the continent experiences that level of cold. At McMurdo Station, located 1,360 kilometres north of the South Pole, the lowest winter temperature can drop to -50°C. On the other hand, Palmer Station in Anvers Island experiences milder winters with average temperatures around -10°C.

Such temperature variations result from the continent’s unique geography and the coastal effects. Another reason is the effect of continuous sunlight during the austral summer and the absence of the sun during the austral winter.

A look at the monthly weather conditions during the summer months will give you a better idea of Antarctica’s varying temperatures.

December

With over 22 hours of daylight in December, the lowest temperatures rise. The wildlife density increases and penguin chicks start hatching around the end of December. With the ice breaking up, accessing landing sites becomes easier. 

In December, the lowest temperature around the peninsular belts and Deception Island are around -1°C. 

February

The weather remains on the warmer side in February, though it starts to get unpredictable as winter approaches. With 24 hours of daylight available, it is still a great month for engaging in outdoor activities and wildlife watching. Plus, it is also the perfect period for whale watching.

The lowest temperatures in the coastal belts and Deception Island are around -1°C and 1°C in this period. It gets colder in McMurdo Station as summer wanes. The lowest temperatures drop to -8°C or lower.

Antarctica’s climate

Antarctica’s weather has its unique patterns, resulting from the play of ocean winds and the extreme cold environment.

Wind

Antarctica is super windy- the windiest place on the planet. Among the many interesting facts about Antarctica, another one is that the continent creates its own wind systems. 

In July 1972, the Dumont d’Urville station in Antarctica recorded a jaw-dropping windspeed of 327km/h; the highest ever recorded on the continent.

Wind is one of the major reasons that setting up weather stations on the continent is so difficult. It is common for scientists to lash down their belongings to prevent them from being blown away by the wind.

One reason for the fierce winds is the polar plateau in the interior of the continent. In most places, the air temperature drops as the elevation increases. But in Antarctica, it works in reverse. 

The air gets colder and denser coming in contact with the ice, and sits above the ground with the warmer air above it. Unable to rise, this dense mass of air, flows down the highland towards the coastal belt, almost like a thick fluid layer. These are called katabatic winds.

In some places, the winds get channelled by land features that work as a funnel, increasing their speed even further. The wind pattern is unpredictable and calm weather can turn extremely windy within minutes. Besides, the gale force winds also add to the wind chill factor.

Precipitation

Since the entire continent is a cold desert, there is little precipitation in Antarctica and most of it is in the form of snow. Some amount of rainfall happens on the East Antarctic coast due to maritime influences.  

For example, the Rothera British Antarctic Survey’s base at Adelaide Island at the western end of the Peninsula experiences around 30 days of rainfall annually. As you move towards the South Pole, it only snows. In the interior, the average annual precipitation is less than 50mm.

However, recent climatic studies show a rise in rainfall in the coastal belts due to global climate changes. Infrequent rainfall noted in recent years has resulted in adverse impacts on the flora and fauna, especially on the penguin colonies.

Blizzards

The blizzards in Antarctica are nothing but formidable. Sir Douglas Mawson, a renowned Antarctic explorer, described an Antarctic storm as “A plunge into the writhing storm-whirl stamps upon the senses an indelible and awful impression seldom equalled in the whole gamut of natural experience.” 

Most blizzards occur mostly in the coastal belts during the winter months, due to the effects of the Southern Ocean. The rampage of ceaseless winds, blowing snow and near-zero visibility can continue for hours, if not for days. 

Blizzards lasting for seven days with wind gusts reaching 244 kilometres per hour have been recorded by research stations. For researchers, trying to move around in such a blizzard is like fighting an immense invisible hand that is pushing them backwards.

Average temperature in Antarctica 

In winter the average temperature in the coastal stations is between -10°C and -30°C. During summer the temperatures rise close to freezing. The northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula can get warmer and the temperatures between December and February can be slightly positive.

In the interior regions and on the high plateaus, the winter temperatures drop below -60°C. In summer, the temperatures in these areas can be around -20°C.

Is the South Pole colder than the North Pole?

If we compare temperatures, the lowest winter temperatures in the Arctic are between −54°C and −46°C. This is higher than the Antarctic average. So yes, Antarctica is colder than the North Pole and there are multiple reasons for this.

Firstly, Antarctica is sitting on an incredibly thick layer of ice which gives it a higher altitude. The average thickness of this ice sheet is over 2000 meters. 

Then again, Antarctica is surrounded by the ocean, and with nothing to block them, the winds blowing into the continent are extremely strong. This allows the region to stay cold for most of the year.

In contrast, the North Pole is on the ice-covered Arctic Ocean and bordered by large land masses. Some parts of the ocean remain ice-free, which warms the air. Even so, the sea ice floating on water cannot grow as thick as the ice that covers Antarctica's land.

Final thoughts

An Antarctica cruise is a thrilling journey that can be exhilarating and exhausting at once. No matter how much they have read and heard, for most guests, stepping on the white continent is a fulfilment of a long cherished dream. Obviously, the weather plays a crucial role in every Antarctic voyage.

A journey to Antarctica with the Secret Atlas team is teaming up with passionate explorers who love venturing into the true wilderness. We are committed to offering our guests the feel of true adventure and the joy of connecting with raw nature. At the same time, we take environmental issues seriously and believe in giving back to the planet.

Join Secret Atlas on an unforgettable journey of exploration and transformation - get in touch.