Antarctica Climate
If there is one thing that Antarctica is famous for is its cold weather. There is ice on this continent that have been in place for millions of years according to the calculations of researchers. This is because of the cold temperatures, the wind, and the fact that Antarctica is so far away from the sun.
Not unlike Alaska, Antarctica experiences periods in the year when there is very little or no sunlight at all. This can be very stressful for individuals that aren’t used to such an environment. Depression and insomnia are very common, even in researchers that are familiar with these patterns. Therefore they have to be carefully monitored while completing observations in Antarctica during these times.
Some people believe that it snows all the time in Antarctica, but this is not the case. They do have some storms that dump feet of snow on the area in very little time, but they are extremely rare. You may be surprised to find on an average year there is less than four inches of snowfall in Antarctica. Researchers were absolutely amazed by these statistics but they have been proven to be credible.
The reason why it looks like there would be a tremendous amount of snowfall is due to the climate. With those snowfalls adding up year after year and very little melting, it is understandable why at first glance that may be the standard conclusion. The amount of wind that blows forcefully through this land can cause the snow to accumulate in the center areas of it. This gives a false impression that those areas experience extreme levels of snowfall.
While we know it is cold in Antarctica, you may not realize just how cold it can be and how the temperature can vary. On a warm day it may be around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. At the coldest times of the year it can be as cold as -130 degrees Fahrenheit. This is why researchers have to be very careful when they go to Antarctica. Of course this is the primary reason why no one can really live there permanently, mainly due to the climatic conditions.
During the warmer times of the year, Antarctica cruises are provided to tourists. Even during these times, people need to take care in keeping warm and dressing in an appropriate manner. Visitors would be well advised to take along sunscreens due to the heat that may be reflected off of the snow. This is just one more peculiarity with the climate on Antarctica that is utterly fascinating.
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