Temperatures in Antarctica by month. Antarctica: climate, wildlife and interesting facts. The influence of air circulation on the climate of Antarctica

The climate of the Antarctic continent has firmly held the palm in some parameters for several millennia. Nowhere else on Earth is such constancy of low temperatures observed throughout the year, and nowhere else do water and air temperatures drop to such low levels.

The ice shell covering the southern continent plays a decisive role in shaping both the climate of Antarctica itself and the climate of most of the Southern Hemisphere. This shell, called continental glaciation by scientists, is the world's largest source of cold. The icy surface of the Antarctic continent has a colossal reflective ability. During the long polar day, total solar radiation over Antarctica approaches equatorial levels, but almost 9/10 of it is reflected back into the atmosphere. In winter, night reigns over Antarctica for several months, and the south polar region receives virtually no solar radiation.

Over Antarctic waters, where cyclonic weather prevails and the sky is almost constantly covered with low lead clouds, the values ​​of the incoming solar radiation 2-3 times less than over the continent. The fifties and sixties latitudes of the Southern Ocean, in contrast to the Antarctic continent, are a zone of minimum globe amounts of solar radiation. Each time upon arrival in Antarctica, after the first hours of work under the Antarctic sun, the faces of newcomers burn and often, if protective measures have not been taken, they receive severe sunburn.

However, such a high intensity of solar radiation is observed only during a short period of the Antarctic summer. In winter it drops to zero. However, in general, during the year Antarctica receives amounts of solar radiation comparable to the values ​​characteristic, for example, of our Black Sea resorts. But no matter how great the supply of solar energy is, over 80% of it is reflected by the snow surface and goes into outer space.

Radiation balance of the ice surface, i.e. The ratio of radiation incoming and outgoing is always negative in Antarctica - with the exception of two or three months a year. If not for the influx of relatively warm air masses from the ocean, Antarctica would be a progressively self-cooling refrigerator.

Isotherms - lines of equal air temperatures - are located on the surface of the Antarctic continent in concentric circles with a center in the area of ​​​​the so-called pole of relative inaccessibility. Here, in summer time Average monthly temperatures fluctuate around minus 36 °C, and in winter they reach 72 °C below zero. Central Antarctica is the coldest region not only of the entire continent, but of the entire Earth. From this cooled high inland plateau there is a gradual increase in temperatures in all directions.

The coastal areas, where the altitudes are low and the warming influence of the sea is felt, are the warmest in Antarctica, as opposed to the central areas. In Mirny average monthly temperature the warmest month - December - 2 °C below zero, and in winter - in July - minus 18 °C. Compared to Central Antarctica, the difference is huge, but it is typical that here average temperature even the warmest month remains below zero. The only exception is the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula, whose oceanic climate is not typical for the main part of the continent.

True, at the height of summer on the coast almost everywhere, and especially where rocks are common, air temperatures often rise above zero. In Mirny, too, maximums of up to 8 °C above zero were recorded. But such phenomena are short-lived and, moreover, cover only a narrow coastal zone. So, in general, the Antarctic continent can be considered as an area of ​​​​constant negative air temperatures. This is also evidenced by the fact that in Antarctica all precipitation falls only in solid form. Antarctica - the only continent, where there is no rain (the exception, again, is the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula).

Distribution atmospheric precipitation across the continent, just as in the case of temperature, zonal-concentric. The central inland areas receive a minimum of precipitation - from 40-50 to 80-100 mm per year. Similar values ​​are typical only for the Sahara, so Central Antarctica can be called the world pole of dryness. The desert is in the area of ​​the highest concentrations (though in solid form) of fresh land waters... This is another paradox of the sixth continent.

On the coast, precipitation falls up to 500-600 mm per year, and in some areas of the slope of the Antarctic cover - even more. The winds prevailing in the slope area lead to some redistribution of the amount of deposited snow. In general, according to calculations, about 2,340 km3 of water per year is accumulated over the entire area of ​​the Antarctic continent, which corresponds to an average layer of 175 mm of precipitation.

Warms Antarctica if applied to southern continent this concept is basically warm air, brought by winds from the ocean. The closer to the coast, the more heat the earth receives from the formations above Southern Ocean cyclones. In the central part of Antarctica, on the glacial plateau, the process of freezing moisture occurs when horizontal layers of air are mixed, and precipitation here falls in the form of ice needles and frost under clear skies; Apparently, this is precisely what explains the dryness of the air flowing from the central plateau of the continent to the shores. On the coast and on the slopes of the ice sheet, a significant proportion of precipitation is brought by oceanic cyclones, and it falls in the form of snow. The thickness of the layer of snow that falls per year in the central part of Antarctica is only 10-20 cm, on the glacial slope and near the coast - 150-200 cm. Over most of Antarctica there is no rain; extremely rarely, no more than once every few years, they are observed at coastal stations. But over the Southern Ocean the air is very humid, the sky is mostly covered with clouds, and here precipitation usually falls in the form of rain and sleet.

Contact of ice masses with relatively warm ones ocean waters creates conditions for increased circulation of air masses throughout the year. Above the Antarctic ice mass there is the so-called Antarctic Maximum, associated with constant strong cooling of the air above the surface of the glacier. Streams of cold air flow down from the high glacial plateaus of Central Antarctica, forming strong south-wests on the outskirts of the continent. easterly winds, known to us as katabatic winds, and along the edge of the maximum region weak easterly winds predominate. Above the ocean near the mainland there is a zone of relatively low pressure and cyclones, in which highest value have westerly winds. Pressure distribution in upper layers atmosphere causes an influx of warm heat to the continent humid air from the ocean, which, in turn, causes precipitation to fall over Antarctica, feeding glaciation.

In internal parts The Antarctic continent, as well as in its eastern part, experiences mostly clear sunny weather with very low temperatures in summer. This combination weather conditions typical for areas of anticyclones and high atmospheric pressure, which, in fact, is Central Antarctica. At the Russian Vostok station, a temperature of 88.3 °C below zero was recorded. Average August temperatures in Antarctica hover around 52 degrees Celsius below zero, while average January temperatures in some areas of the continent remain below 20 degrees. IN summer months in Antarctica, temperature increases up to 3-4 °C above zero are possible due to sunny weather. In those years when the outskirts of the continent come under the influence of oceanic cyclones in summer, summer is usually marked by cold weather and snowfall. In general, the oceanic ring off the coast of Antarctica is noticeably colder in summer than the coastal areas of the mainland itself, and warmer in winter.

Antarctic oases are characterized by natural conditions dry cold desert. In summer, the surface of the earth, free of snow and ice, warms up to some extent, and at an altitude of several tens of centimeters above the ground the air temperature is quite high. Of course, its meaning also depends on the nature of the surface itself; Thus, on the rocks near the Russian scientific village of Mirny at the height of the Antarctic summer - in January - temperatures of about 30 °C above zero were repeatedly recorded. However, already at a height of 1-2 m above the ground, the air is not much warmer than above the ice lying nearby. On a summer day, cumulus clouds may appear over the oasis, generated by rising air currents. Downward dry winds coming from the glaciers create conditions for the evaporation of moisture and drying out the earth's surface. In winter, the oases are covered with snow.

During the southern polar night, the difference in climatic conditions between the oases and the glacial surface is minimal. It becomes more noticeable and tangible as soon as the sun appears. This can be explained, first of all, by the completely different reactions of different surfaces to solar radiation fluxes. If snow and ice, as already mentioned, reflect the main - up to 85% - part of the incident radiation, then rocks, painted by nature in darker colors, on the contrary, absorb about 85% of solar radiation, heating up to 20-30 ° C, and , as a result, heat the surrounding air. Thus, any noticeable share of solar energy, which is more than abundant in Antarctica, is absorbed only in oases.

Snow melts in summer only within a narrow coastal zone. Under the influence of intense solar radiation, the snow becomes loose, and streams run from the shore into the ocean, but already at a distance of 10-12 km from the shore, the snow melts unnoticed. Only on the surface of the snow in summer does a thin “radiation” crust of ice, similar to ice crust, form. But on the slopes of dark rocks facing the sun, whose reflectivity is relatively low, snow melts rapidly even in areas far from the coast.

The natural conditions of the Antarctic and subantarctic islands, in contrast to the conditions of the mainland itself, are not so harsh. But even on the islands, before many other natural phenomena, strong westerly winds prevail, the speed of which sometimes reaches 75 m/s. The Subantarctic owes its name to these winds - “furious fifties latitudes”.

The sub-Antarctic islands receive a lot of precipitation, and, unlike Antarctica itself, here it relatively often takes the form of wet snow, sometimes turning into drizzling rain. Summer temperatures in the island belt rarely exceed 10 °C above zero, while winter temperatures fluctuate around zero.

There are practically no open water streams in Antarctica; they are replaced by rare subglacial streams, not all of which flow into the sea. In the summer months, along the outskirts of the mainland you can find small reservoirs with stagnant water, and in the oases - salt and fresh lakes. As a rule, these are closed water bodies; only a few of them have a discharge into the sea. Some lakes appear only when snow melts in oases - they subsequently dry out quickly, leaving salt stains on the soil. On winter months All reservoirs freeze, but in summer the water temperature in the lakes of the oases is much higher than the air temperature.

Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth. The climate of Antarctica is unique; it is characterized by the lowest temperatures and anomalous natural phenomena. Precipitation amounts, wind speeds and haze vary depending on the proximity to the coastline.

Weather in Antarctica in winter extremely aggressive, temperatures reach -80 °C, and in summer period near the coast the temperature is about +5 °C.

Surprisingly, tanning is a big problem for many mainland residents, because snow reflects the sun like foil. Another problem in summer is increased solar radiation.

Weather in Antarctica in summer(December-February) is much milder than winter, so tourists are recommended to visit the mainland at this time of year. In summer in Antarctica it is sunny, there is significantly less wind, the most heat in the summer, +30 °C was recorded in the village of Mirny in January.

The strongest winds that form on the slopes are 200-300 m thick, raising snow dust and practically making it impossible to see.

Reasons for the severity of Antarctica's climate

Note 1

Antarctica is a continent of harsh climatic conditions, hurricane winds, endless expanses of ice and low temperatures, the climate of which depends primarily on its geographical location.

This highest continent is located at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level, and its central part reaches 4000 m.

Figure 1. Climatic conditions of Antarctica. Author24 - online exchange of student works

Much of the height is due to permanent ice sheets that obscure the continental topography.

The climatic features of the continent are associated with a large amount of incoming solar energy, and at the same time with low temperatures.

The lowest temperature mark was recorded at the Vostok station and was -89.2 degrees - the station is the absolute pole of cold of the Southern Hemisphere.

With the arrival of summer, the air temperature rises to -30, -20 degrees. On the coast it is much warmer than 0 degrees, and sometimes higher.

Despite the fact that in the summer the mainland receives a large number of heat, about 80-82% is reflected from the snow-ice surface and goes back. The remaining amount of heat is absorbed by the surface and converted into heat, but half of it is lost by thermal radiation.

IN winter period The continent does not receive solar heat at all, while heat radiation from its surface occurs continuously and the surface cools even more.

Another reason for the severity of the Antarctic climate is katabatic winds, which are formed as a result of the temperature difference between the surface of Antarctica and the air, as well as its dome-shaped configuration.

Such winds blow almost without interruption from April to November.

The climate also has its influence on the climate, although there are no big differences in the relief, but in one area there can be a strong storm with a blizzard and calm at the same time.

The circulation of the atmosphere over Antarctica is very peculiar. All year round inland and in coastal areas, winds blow from one sector - from north-northeast to south-southeast.

True, if they blow closer to one particular edge, for example, to the south or to the east, then the weather changes very sharply.

Thanks to atmospheric circulation, both heat and cold are brought in, and this happens when air moves from the depths of the continent, flowing down the slope of the Antarctic Plateau.

Eastern winds carrying heat are associated with the movement of the cyclone, and southeastern winds are associated with the flow of inland cold air.

Another reason that influences the climate of the continent is the rarefaction of the air, since the altitude above sea level is significant. The thinness of the air especially affects the severity of the climate in inland areas.

Climate of Antarctica

The continent lies in two climatic zones - subantarctic and antarctic.

The northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula is sometimes referred to as temperate zone. There is no polar day or night within its borders, but despite this, the conditions of the peninsula are very harsh.

On its coast the average annual temperatures-10 degrees. At its northern end the air temperature rises to -5 degrees.

In the northwestern part of the peninsula in coastal oases, the average January temperature is above zero and is +1, +2 degrees.

Positive temperatures can be observed here at any time of the year.

Twenty-degree winter frosts may be replaced by thaws. The maximum temperature recorded here, +14 degrees, was observed at the height of winter - in July on east coast in 1958

On the northwestern coast of the peninsula, precipitation falls 700-800 mm, and sometimes even up to 1000 mm. On average, about 120 mm falls per year on the continent; in the interior of the continent, their amount decreases and only 30-50 mm falls per year.

The most severe conditions have formed in the inland regions of Antarctica. Winter temperatures here drop to -64 degrees, and summer temperatures rise to -32 degrees.

In the depths of the continent are formed strong winds, the speed of which reaches 80-90 m/s. Reaching the coast, the wind intensifies.

Intense cyclonic activity is developing over the ocean around Antarctica.

In the west of the mainland coastline It is well indented and there are bays that extend far into the land; it is here that cyclones penetrate the mainland. Their penetration into the east of the continent is rare.

The Antarctic coast is an area where the climate is moderately humid and relatively mild. In summer, the thermometer sometimes rises above zero, and the snow begins to melt rapidly.

On the coast of Antarctica, the air is noticeably warmer, due to the warming influence of the ocean. Despite the fact that the coastal waters are covered with ice and have a temperature close to the freezing point, the water is warmer than the air and constantly exchanges heat with it.

The temperature on the coast does not fall below -40, -45 degrees, and the average annual temperatures are -10, -12 degrees.

The coastal temperature in summer is -4 degrees. The katabatic winds here reach speeds of 15-20 m/s. During katabatic winds, clearings are observed.

In summer, the sunny weather on the mainland coast contrasts sharply with the gloomy clouds over the ocean. On the eastern coast, precipitation falls up to 500 mm, and on the western coast – up to 700 mm.

The most severe conditions have formed in the inland regions of Antarctica.

Inland climate

Inland areas of Antarctica climatic conditions the harshest on the planet.

Regular weather observations are carried out here at the Amundsen-Scott and Vostok scientific stations. The minimum temperature recorded at Dome Fuji Station was -91.2 degrees.

Average winter temperature air -60, -70 degrees, summer temperature rises to -45, -25 degrees.

The Amundsen-Scott station was founded at the South Pole in 1956 and is gradually “drifting” towards the coast. This is explained by the fact that the glacier slowly slides from the dome-shaped continent from the center to the edge, where, breaking off under its own weight, it falls into the ocean.

At this station in winter the thermometer reaches -60 degrees, and in January it does not fall below -30 degrees.

The climate at Amundsen-Scott station is slightly milder compared to Vostok station.

Figure 2. Climate of inland areas. Author24 - online exchange of student works

The Vostok inland station has existed here since December 1957, and during the entire existence of the station, the thermometer showed -13.6 degrees only once - it was the warmest day, December 16.

Such high temperatures were associated with the invasion of cyclones from the ocean to the mainland, which happens extremely rarely.

The minimum temperature from April to September at Vostok station is below -80 degrees, and the monthly average is below -70 degrees. But, in mid-April and at the beginning of the third ten days of September, it is above -70 degrees.

Winter temperature fluctuations are less than summer ones.

Note 2

Thus, the lowest absolute minimum air temperatures are observed at the stations:

• "Pole of Inaccessibility"
• "Kun-Lun"
• "East",
• "Vostok-1"
• "Dome of Fuji".

IN central regions Antarctica receives very little rainfall throughout the year, which is common feature climate of this region.

Precipitation comes in the form of “diamond dust” - these are ice needles, as well as frost. The wind speed here is low, increasing as you approach the continental slope.

Perhaps there is no place in the world more mysterious than Antarctica. The vast expanses of ice could tell a lot about what the Earth was like millions of years ago. But nature is in no hurry to reveal its secrets, and people return here again and again, fighting the cold and blizzard.

Antarctica is the icy heart of Antarctica: on an area of ​​13 million 661 thousand km 2 there are 30 million km 3 of ice! Geographical lines pass through the continent South Pole, pole of cold (- 89.2 °C - the most low temperature), pole of inaccessibility, conquered by a Soviet expedition in 1958, South Geomagnetic Pole.

The territory of the mainland does not belong to any country. In Antarctica, you cannot develop mineral resources or carry out production work - only scientific activity, therefore, in addition to seals and penguins, the mainland is inhabited by scientists from different countries. Only well-trained people, strong in spirit and body, live and work here. The reason for this is extreme conditions and harsh climate.

Features of the climate of Antarctica

The warmest time on the mainland occurs from November to February - this is spring and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. On the coast, the air can warm up to 0°C, and near the cold pole the temperature rises to -30°C.

Summer in Antarctica is so sunny that you should never forget about sunglasses - you can seriously damage your eyesight. And you can’t do without lipstick either - without it, your lips instantly crack, and it’s impossible to eat or speak. Why then is it so cold, but the glaciers are not melting? Almost 90% of solar energy is reflected from ice and snow cover, and if you consider that solar heat The continent receives it mainly in the summer, so it turns out that during the year Antarctica loses more heat than it gains.

The lowest temperature is from March to October, autumn and winter in Antarctica, when the thermometer drops to -75°C. This is a period of severe storms, planes do not fly to the mainland, and polar explorers find themselves cut off from the rest of the world for 8 long months.

Polar day and polar night in the Southern Hemisphere

Photo of the aurora near McMurdo Station, July 15, 2012

In Antarctica, as well as in the Northern Hemisphere, there is a polar night and a polar day, which last around the clock. If we rely only on astronomical calculations, then December 22, on the day summer solstice In the Southern Hemisphere, the sun should only be halfway below the horizon at midnight and then rise again. And June 22, on the day winter solstice- only half appear on the horizon at noon, and then disappear. But there is astronomical refraction - optical phenomenon associated with the refraction of light rays. Thanks to refraction, we see luminaries before they appear above the horizon, and for some time after they set. Therefore, the usual change of day and night occurs only in spring and autumn. In winter there is polar night, and in summer there is polar day.

Nature of Antarctica

Peculiar business card Antarctica - penguin. Several species of these live here funny birds: on the continental coast - emperor, king, gentoo, and Adelie penguins. And on the Antarctic and subantarctic islands live the crested, arctic, and golden-haired penguins.

There are other birds: petrels (Antarctic, snowy, silver-gray), skuas,

Antarctica is the habitat of several species of seals: Weddell seal, Ross seal, crabeater seal, southern sea ​​Elephant, leopard seal, Kerguelen fur seal.

Whales live here: blue whale, flat-faced bottlenose, sperm whale, killer whales, sei whale, southern minke whale.

It's hard to imagine, but even here, on the icy continent, there is vegetation. Lichens, cereals and clove herbs, whose height does not exceed 1 cm, and some types of moss, hide in the crevices of rocks.

Polar stations of Antarctica

The photograph shows a view of the Antarctic McMurdo Station, November 2011

Most of the stations are located in the coastal zone of the continent, and only three of them are inland. These are the American Amundsen-Scott base, the French-Italian Concordia base and the Russian Vostok base.

Associated with the discovery of the “East” interesting story. When in the early 50s, at a meeting in Paris, questions about the development of Antarctica were decided, our delegation was given the task: to prove at all costs that Soviet Union there are enough resources to maintain the operation of the station at the very South Geographic Pole. But due to delays with passports and visas, our delegate was late for the start of the meeting, and this place had already been promised to the Americans. We got the South Geomagnetic Pole and the Pole of Inaccessibility. In 1957, the Vostok scientific station was founded at the South Geomagnetic Pole. And 50 years later, scientists managed to obtain a sample of water from an underground lake, which, as it turned out, was located right under the station! Fifth in volume fresh water Hidden under ice at a depth of almost 4,000 m, Lake Vostok sheds light on the origins of the Earth and life on Earth. This is incredible luck!

The photo shows a spring sunset near the Palmer Arctic station, March 31, 2011

There are a total of 5 located in Antarctica Russian bases, working all year round: “Bellingshausen”, “Mirny”, “Vostok”, “Progress”, “Novolazarevskaya”. Scientists study the atmosphere, weather, ice, movement earth's crust. At all bases - maximum comfortable conditions: in addition to everything necessary for work, there are rest rooms, Gym, billiards, library. IP-telephony and Internet access have been established, channel 1 is broadcast.

The closest neighbors of the scientists from the Novolazarevskaya base are specialists from India. The name of their base - "Maitri" - means "friendship" and best describes the relationship between the polar explorers. By the way, a warm, friendly atmosphere has always been here. Even during Cold War scientists conducted joint research and used each other’s work.

A photograph of a satellite communications dish at Antarctic McMurdo Station

In addition to traditional holidays, the bases celebrate the beginning and end of each expedition. At the gala dinner, a symbolic handover of the key to the station takes place. Despite the speedy meeting with their relatives, scientists leaving the station involuntarily envy those who remain for the winter - Antarctica does not let go. Cold, blizzardy, but so beautiful.

Antarctic belt - the southernmost geographical zone Land that includes Antarctica and its adjacent islands and parts of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans with a border within 48-60° south latitude.

Very stern in character Antarctic climate, with low air temperatures all year round, since the Earth's cold pole is located in the center of Antarctica. In winter the average temperature is between - 60 to –70 °C, characterized by a long polar night. In summer the average temperature ranges from – 30 to – 50 °C, above – 20 °C doesn't rise. The radiation level is high, up to 30 kcal/cm² per month, but only 10% of the heat goes to warm the snow surface, the rest of the energy is reflected into space, so a negative radiation balance can be traced. Precipitation falls in the form of snow, its amount decreases from the coast to the center of the continent, respectively. from 500–700 to 30–50 mm . On the coast there are strong katabatic winds up to 12 m/s, frequent snow storms and fog, while in the central regions of the mainland the weather is mostly calm and clear.

The adjacent areas of the oceans are covered with ice. The area of ​​ice cover varies from season to season, reaching a width of 500-2000 km in winter. The bottom surface is divided by vast basins. In summer, a narrow strip of sparse ice forms along the coast, and the surface layers of water are cold. Characteristic feature Antarctic waters are icebergs.

On land, the landscape of the Antarctic desert zone predominates, the main part of the continent is covered with ice sheets, only in the coastal areas are there Antarctic oases - exposed areas of land. Also, areas of mountain ranges and individual rocks - nunataks - are not covered with ice. Above 3000 m there is an area of ​​permafrost. In coastal oases there are mainly drainage and salt lakes, as well as lagoons surrounded by ice shelves, no rivers.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable and animal world Antarctica is peculiar because of its long isolation. This explains the absence of land mammals and freshwater fish. In summer, the rocks of the mainland heat up to a temperature just above 0 °C, and lichens, mosses, fungi, algae, and bacteria grow on them in places. There are small invertebrates: rotifers, tardigrades and some species of wingless insects. Although Antarctic waters are cold, they are rich in fish and small crustaceans (krill). Seals live in the Antarctic zone, seals and whales, seabirds nest on the coast, namely penguins, skuas, and albatrosses. Tundra vegetation grows on the islands and many birds live.

In accordance with international agreements prohibited in Antarctica economic activity, only scientific. A wide range of studies and observations are carried out by scientists from different countries, especially on climate change under natural conditions without the influence of the human factor.

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