Unique Antarctica - Climate
During an Antarctic Winter temperatures range between -40 and -70 degrees.
Why is Antaractica so cold?
It is a long way from the hot climate of the equator.
The angle of the Earth as it orbits the sun means that Antarctica does not receive any sunlight for half the year. During the rest of the year the sun is low in the sky. The sun's rays have to try to heat a big area of land which means cooler temperatures.
When Antarctica doubles its size in winter it stops heat transfer from warmer oceans like the Pacific ocean.
Antarctica has high elevations of land mass which leads to colder temperatures.
Antarctica reflects about 80% of the sun's rays rather than absorbing them because it is covered with snow and ice.
Antarctica experiences very strong winds (katabatic winds).
Blizzards are common in Antarctica and can last up to a week.
White-outs are when the colour of the sky and the colour of the surface ice are identical. They occur in cloudy conditions.
Why is Antaractica so cold?
It is a long way from the hot climate of the equator.
The angle of the Earth as it orbits the sun means that Antarctica does not receive any sunlight for half the year. During the rest of the year the sun is low in the sky. The sun's rays have to try to heat a big area of land which means cooler temperatures.
When Antarctica doubles its size in winter it stops heat transfer from warmer oceans like the Pacific ocean.
Antarctica has high elevations of land mass which leads to colder temperatures.
Antarctica reflects about 80% of the sun's rays rather than absorbing them because it is covered with snow and ice.
Antarctica experiences very strong winds (katabatic winds).
Blizzards are common in Antarctica and can last up to a week.
White-outs are when the colour of the sky and the colour of the surface ice are identical. They occur in cloudy conditions.