Antarctica is a shining pearl of ice that more and more tourists have opened their eyes to. The world’s third smallest continent is without a doubt a frozen paradise, but Antarctica has so much more to offer than just huge masses of ice and glaciers. The climate here is the coolest in the world. Therefore, we only visit Antarctica during the continent’s summer period ─ here, however, it is still cold. Do you want to experience natural phenomena beyond the ordinary? So join us on a trip to Antarctica . Read much more about climate and weather conditions in Antarctica on this page.
General about the climate and weather in Antarctica
According to zipcodesexplorer.com, the climate of Antarctica is just one of the things that makes this continent so unique. Here you can experience natural phenomena that are guaranteed to be unique to Antarctica. The Antarctic ice cap is ─ perhaps not so surprising ─ the world’s largest ice mass, which at times is up to 6.5 meters thick. Therefore, it is no wonder that the continent actually holds about 90% of the earth’s freshwater ice.
But Antarctica is much more than just a massive lump of ice. Here you will also find one of the world’s largest mountain ranges (the Gamburtsev Mountains), the world’s only known lava lake and the world’s driest point. The humidity here is so low that not even ice and snow can accumulate here. So there is no doubt that Antarctica’s climate and the aftermath of the spectacular temperatures are worth experiencing.
Winter in Antarctica
The winter season in Antarctica extends from around April to September. During this period, Antarctica is largely deserted, as it is not at all possible to travel to Antarctica during the winter. This is due to the huge ice blocks in the sea around the frozen continent. Due to the slope of the earth, Antarctica is darkened through the winter. The sun simply does not rise.
| Esperanza | Apr | May | Jun | Christmas | Aug | Sep |
| Rain | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Max. temp. | -3 | -6 | -7 | -7 | -6 | -3 |
| Mine. temp. | -11 | -13 | -15 | -15 | -15 | -11 |
Summer in Antarctica
The Antarctic summer figures from October to March. However, never expect shorts weather on the icy continent. Summer in Antarctica simply means temperatures that are bearable.
Unlike the winter period, when Antarctica is darkened, the sun never sets in the summer. We only travel to Antarctica during the summer months. You can therefore each get a glimpse of the beautiful continent, no matter what time of day you mirror beyond the icy paradise.
| Esperanza | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar |
| Rain | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Max temp. | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Mine. temp. | -7 | -5 | -2 | -2 | -3 | -6 |
The Antarctic Peninsula
From northern Antarctica, a tip of land stretches up towards Argentina. This part of the continent is known as the Antarctic Peninsula. When you as a tourist visit Antarctica, it will be this area that you are allowed to explore. This is because the climate is somewhat milder here. Compared to what we know from home, though, it’s still pretty cold here.
| Esperanza | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Christmas | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Rain | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Max temp. | 3 | 3 | 0 | -3 | -6 | -7 | -7 | -6 | -3 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Mine. temp. | -2 | -3 | -6 | -11 | -13 | -15 | -15 | -15 | -11 | -7 | -5 | -2 |
Hottest and coldest temperature measurements in Antarctica
It probably comes as no surprise that temperatures can become life-threateningly low in Antarctica. The record for the lowest measured temperature on earth was measured in June 2018 in Antarctica via satellite. Here it was -98 degrees Celsius in the absolute coldest area of the continent.
The cells in the human body die almost instantly upon encounter with below -60 degrees Celsius. It also means that there are large parts of Antarctica that cannot be accessed by us humans at all.
The warmest temperature ever measured in Antarctica is 17.5 degrees Celsius. This temperature was found at the Argentine research station, Esperanza, located on the Antarctic Peninsula. The record was set in March 2015.