The warmest month in Antarctica. Temperature in Antarctica by months

Scientists-polar explorers and weather forecasters jokingly call Antarctica "weather kitchen" for the whole planet. Experts know exactly when conditions are more or less favorable for travel in the vicinity of the South Geographic Pole. Ordinary people are often lost in conjecture: "What is the warmest month behind the Southern Arctic Circle?" Are there positive temperatures in Antarctica? " Understand what is happening in the "weather kitchen" is not easy, everything is different here, not as on other continents.

The White Continent is becoming more accessible

Until the 20-ies of the XIX century, the existence of land near the South Pole was disputed by scientists and travelers. Many believed the famous seafarer J. Cook, who declared the inaccessibility of the territory south of 71 ° S. W. The Russian expedition to Antarctica on the ships "Vostok" and "Mirny" on January 20, 1820, discovered unknown lands, despite a number of insurmountable obstacles. After 120 years, the first excursions to the waters of the Antarctic began, another 50 years were needed to develop a new tourist destination.

Hundreds of adventurers travel every year to the white continent. Expeditions and tours are held in the most favorable period of the year in the Southern Hemisphere. "And what is the warmest month in Antarctica?" The townsfolk ask puzzledly. Of course, at school everyone was taught the climate of the southern continents, where our winter is summer. Precisely to say, what month is better for a tour to the South Pole, many are at a loss.

Antarctica and the Arctic are two opposites

Let's briefly dwell on geographical terminology. Its name is the land in the south due to the Arctic. This word denoting the northern polar latitudes of the Earth, of Greek origin, is given by the position of the constellation Ursa Major. The weather on the North Pole remained a mystery for a long time, because the way to the researchers of the 18th and 19th centuries to the coveted point with a coordinate of 90 ° N. W. Blocked the cold waters of the ocean, ice and snow.

The territory in the south opposite to the northern polar region was called "Ant (and) Arctic", the mainland is Antarctica. The South Pole is almost in the center of the continent. The geographical coordinate of this point is 90 ° S. W.

The southernmost and coldest continent

Severe climate south of latitude 70 ° S. W. Was named "subantarctic" and "Antarctic". During the year, the snow-free and ice-free areas of the surface on the coast, in oases, are warming up better. In winter, on the shore and in the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula, the temperature is comparable to the Arctic belt of the Northern Hemisphere (-10 to -40 ° C). In summer, in Antarctica, you can find many islands of land amidst ice silence, where the thermometer's column rises above 0 ° C.

Features of the climate of Antarctica:

• Winter lasts from June to August, this is the coldest period.
• The average July temperature is between -65 ° and -75 ° C.
• Summer comes in December and lasts until February.
• The temperature in the continental part rises from -50 to -30 ° C.
• The warmest month in Antarctica is January.
• The polar day lasts from September to March. The sun remains above the horizon line, heating the surface more strongly.
• Almost half a year lasts a night, illuminated by bright flashes of polar lights.

The climate of the internal regions

Antarctica is the mainland, where regular meteorological observations began later than on inhabited continents. Special attention of weather forecasters in the last 50-60 years is used by data obtained at stations in the continental and coastal parts of the white continent. The coldest regions are the southeast, where the average annual temperature is about -60 ° C. The temperature maximum in the Vostok station area is -13.6 ° C (December 16, 1957). The average monthly temperature from April to September is below -70 ° C.

The weather at the South Pole is slightly softer, this part of the continent is closer to the coast. Meteorological information at a point with a coordinate of 90 ° S. W. Collect employees of the American station "Amundsen-Scott", named after the "Napoleon of the Polar Countries" Norwegian Rual Amundsen and another discoverer of the South Pole - Englishman Robert Scott. The station was founded in 1956 at the South Pole and gradually "drifts" towards the coast. Antarctica has the shape of a dome, the glacier slowly slides from the center to the edges, where its pieces under their own weight break down, fall into the ocean. In winter, in the area of the Amundsen-Scott station, the thermometer's bar shows -60 ° C, in January it does not drop below -30 ° C.

Weather on the coast of Antarctica

In summer, on the shores of the oceans and seas washing the southernmost continent, it is much warmer than in the continental regions. Over the Antarctic Peninsula, the air warms up in December-February to +10 ° C. The average January temperature is +1.5 ° C. In winter, in July, the average monthly temperature drops to -8 ° on the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, to -35 ° C - near the edge of the Ross glacier. One of the climatic anomalies of the continent is cold katabatic winds, whose speed reaches 12-90 m / sec on the shore (hurricanes). Rains, like high temperatures, are rare in Antarctica. Primarily, moisture falls on the continent in the form of snow.

Antarctica is a "multipolar" continent

"The Pole of Inaccessibility" - such a name was invented for its station by Russian polar explorers. The Soviet expedition to Antarctica carried out scientific research for the 82nd parallel in the most difficult region for the movement of the highland region of the continent.

On the mainland there is the "Pole of Cold" - this is the area of the Antarctic research station "Vostok", created in the Soviet era. Here, the lowest temperature in the history of meteorological observations was registered with ground-based measuring equipment: -89.2 ° C (1983).

Researchers from the United States, armed with data from satellites, tried to challenge the "record" of the Russian station. Americans in December 2013 reported that the coldest place on Earth is in the area of the station "Dome Fuji", owned by Japan. The absolute minimum temperature for Antarctica was -91.2 ° C, which it was possible to find out with the help of a satellite.

Antarctica is the prototype of a "multipolar" world without borders and an arms race. The international legal regime was introduced here in 1961. The continent and adjacent parts of the oceans do not belong to the contracting states and observer countries, they can only conduct scientific research.

What to do in the warmest month in Antarctica and the Arctic

Studies of the North and South Poles, the white continent in the south and the Arctic ice have always been a lot of courageous and patient. Today there are many people on the planet who have visited Antarctica more than 100 times. Some carry out scientific research, others provide transport accessibility, safety, and provide medical assistance.

More and more people are coming to the South Polar Circle in search of fantastic experiences. Tours to Antarctica at first glance seem to be the purest water adventurism. In fact, all flights, voyages and excursions are prepared at the highest level. Consultants are scientists-polar explorers, icebreakers, research vessels are used.

Peak "tourist season" in the polar regions

The high cost of a flight or a sea cruise to the North and South Poles, the high costs of organizing expeditions do not stop modern adventurers. To paraphrase the famous statement by a superintendent from the film "Operation Y" and other adventures of Shurik. " Now dozens of vessels with tourists "plow the expanses" of the Arctic and Antarctic. The day is not far off when there will be much more. "High Season" at the South Pole begins in December and lasts until January. At this time, the hemisphere is better illuminated by the Sun, summer is at its height.

The weather on the North Pole is warmer than in the South Pole. The climate also depends on the small angle of the sun's inclination above the horizon, the strong reflectivity of snow and ice. The temperature in winter in December-February and in summer in June-August is much higher than in Antarctica. The average temperature in winter at the North Pole is -30 ° C. Quite often there are thaws (-26 ° C), cold snaps (-43 ° C). The average temperature in summer is about 0 ° C.

Are there any "white spots" in Antarctica

Epoch of Great geographical discoveries was completed in the 1920s by SV Obruchev, the son of the scientist, traveler and writer VA Obruchev (Geology of Siberia, Sannikov Land). Sergei Obruchev investigated the last "white spots" in Eastern Siberia and in Chukotka. By that time, a significant part of Antarctica was still poorly understood.

Gradually, the researchers found out the thickness of the glacier and the features of the subglacial relief, collected detailed meteorological information. Closed a lot of "white spots" on the sixth continent, but the southern polar continent still keeps many mysteries and secrets. For adventurous travelers, a warm month in Antarctica is a new experience, an opportunity to see rare representatives of the animal world and make unique photographs.

Are expeditions dangerous to the Southern Arctic Circle?

Reports about any unforeseen situations with tourists in Antarctica are, but rarely. For example, in November 2009, the Russian ship "Captain Khlebnikov" was stuck in the ice off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Among its passengers were tourists and a film crew from the UK. The reason for the stop was the weather conditions, but as soon as the ebb began, the ship managed to free itself from the "white captivity". A Russian icebreaker with British tourists and TV crew aboard cruised in the Weddell Sea area (West Antarctica).

Map of the mainland and the Antarctic Peninsula gives an idea of the location of the sea, but only experienced pilots can hold ships between icebergs. In December 2013 drifting ice stopped the Russian vessel Akademik Shokalsky. Passengers were evacuated aboard the Australian icebreaker in the early days of January 2014.

Tour to Antarctica - a high portion of adrenaline is provided

According to the researchers of Antarctica, the continent is suitable for organizing cruises, traveling on dog sleds and other types of outdoor activities. The history of sea cruises in Antarctica has more than 90 years. In 1920, enterprising ship owners began to take on board the first tourists wishing to see for themselves the white continent. The cost of modern cruises and other types of travel to the shores of Antarctica and the South Pole ranges from 5000 to 40,000 dollars. The price of the tour depends on many factors, not the least role is played by the complexity of the route, excursion support.