Polar scientists and weather forecasters jokingly call Antarctica the "weather cuisine" for the entire planet. Experts know exactly when the conditions are more or less favorable for traveling in the vicinity of the South Geographic Pole. Ordinary people are often at a loss: “What is the warmest month beyond the Arctic Circle?” Are there plus temperatures in Antarctica? ” It is not easy to figure out what is going on in the “weather kitchen”; everything is different here, not like on other continents.
The white continent is becoming more affordable
Until the 1920s, scientists and travelers argued about the existence of land near the South Pole. Many believed the famous navigator J. Cook, who declared the inaccessibility of the territory south of 71 ° S. w. On January 20, 1820, the Russian expedition to Antarctica on the Vostok and Mirny ships discovered unknown lands, despite many insurmountable obstacles. After 120 years, the first excursions into the waters of the Antarctic began, another 50 years were needed for the development of a new tourist destination.
Hundreds of adventure seekers travel annually to the White Continent. Expeditions and tours are held during the most favorable period of the year in the Southern Hemisphere. “What is the warmest month in Antarctica?” - the townsfolk ask perplexedly. Of course, at school everyone taught the climate of the southern continents, where our winter is summer. To say exactly which month is better for a tour to the South Pole, many find it difficult.
Antarctica and the Arctic are two opposites
Let us briefly dwell on geographical terminology. The land in the south owes its name 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. Weather at the North Pole has remained a mystery for a long time, because the way for researchers of the XVIII – XIX centuries to the treasured point with a coordinate of 90 ° C. w. blocked the cold waters of the ocean, ice and snow.
The territory in the south, opposite the northern polar region, was called "Ant (s) the Arctic", the mainland - Antarctica. The South Pole is located almost in the center of the continent. The geographical coordinate of this point is 90 ° S. w.
The southernmost and coldest mainland
Harsh climate south of latitude 70 ° S. w. received the names "subantarctic" and "Antarctic". Throughout the year, surface areas on the coast, in oases, free from snow and ice, are warmed better. In winter, the temperature on the coast and in the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula is comparable with the Arctic belt of the Northern Hemisphere (from −10 to −40 ° ). In summer, in Antarctica, you can find many islands of land among the icy silence, where the thermometer rises above the 0 ° C mark.
Features of the climate of Antarctica:
- Winter lasts from June to August, it 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 ° .
- The warmest month in Antarctica is January.
- The polar day lasts from September to March. The sun remains above the horizon, heating the surface more strongly.
- Almost half a year lasts a night illuminated by bright flashes of aurora.
Climate of inland areas
Antarctica is the mainland, where regular meteorological observations began later than on the inhabited continents. In the last 50-60 years, weather forecasters have been particularly interested in data obtained at stations in the continental and coastal parts of the white continent. The coldest regions are southeastern, where the average annual temperature is about −60 ° C. The temperature maximum in the vicinity of Vostok station is −13.6 ° (December 16, 1957). The average monthly temperature from April to September is below −70 ° C.
The weather at the South Pole is slightly milder, this part of the mainland is closer to the coast. Meteorological information at a point with a coordinate of 90 ° S. w. employees of the American Amundsen-Scott station, named in honor of the Napoleon of the Polar Countries, the Norwegian Royal Amundsen and another pioneer of the South Pole, the Englishman Robert Scott, are gathering. The station was founded in 1956 at the South Pole and is gradually “drifting” 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, fall into the ocean. In winter, near the Amundsen-Scott station, the thermometer shows −60 ° C; in January it does not fall 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 - in the outskirts of the Ross Glacier. One of the continental climatic anomalies is cold stock winds, the speed of which reaches 12–90 m / s on the shore (hurricanes). Rains, like high temperatures, are rare in Antarctica. Mostly moisture enters the continent in the form of snow.
Antarctica - the "multi-polar" continent
“Pole of inaccessibility” - this name was invented by Russian polar explorers for their station. The Soviet expedition to Antarctica conducted scientific research beyond the 82nd parallel in the most difficult to move highland region of the mainland.
On the mainland there is the "Pole of Cold" - this is the area of the Vostok research Antarctic station, created in Soviet times. Here, with the help of ground-based measuring equipment, the lowest air temperature in the entire history of meteorological observations was recorded: –89.2 ° (1983).
Researchers from the United States, armed with satellite data, tried to challenge the "record" of the Russian station. In December 2013, the Americans reported that the coldest place on Earth is in the area of Japan’s Dome of Fuji station. The absolute minimum temperature for Antarctica was –91.2 ° , which was found out using a satellite.
Antarctica is a prototype of a "multipolar" world without borders and an arms race. The international legal regime was introduced in 1961. The mainland and adjacent parts of the oceans do not belong to the states party to the treaty 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 ice of the Arctic have always been the lot of the brave 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 are those who set off for the Arctic Circle in search of fantastic experiences. Tours to Antarctica at first glance seem purest water adventurism. In fact, all flights, swimming and excursions are prepared at the highest level. The consultants are polar scientists, icebreakers, research vessels are used.
Peak “tourist season” in the polar regions
The high cost of a flight or sea cruise to the North and South poles, the high costs of organizing expeditions do not stop modern adventurers. We rephrase the famous statement of the superintendent from the film "Operation" Y "and other adventures of Shurik. Now dozens of ships with tourists "plow the open spaces" of the Arctic and Antarctic. The day is not far off when there will be many more. The High Season at the South Pole begins in December and lasts until January. At this time, the hemisphere is better lit by the Sun, the height of summer is coming.
The weather at the North Pole is warmer than at the South. The climate also depends on a small angle of inclination of the Sun over the horizon, the strong reflectivity of snow and ice. The temperature in winter in December – February and summer in June – August is much higher than in Antarctica. The average winter temperature at the North Pole is −30 ° C. Thaws (−26 ° C) and cooling (−43 ° C) often occur. The average summer temperature is around 0 ° C.
Are there any "white spots" in Antarctica
The era of great geographical discoveries was completed in the 1920s by S. V. Obruchev, the son of the scientist, traveler and writer V. A. Obruchev (“Geology of Siberia”, “Sannikov Land”). Sergei Obruchev investigated the last “white spots” in Eastern Siberia and Chukotka. By that time, a significant part of Antarctica was still little studied.
Gradually, the researchers found out the thickness of the glacier and the features of the under-ice relief, and collected detailed meteorological information. Many "white spots" are closed on the sixth continent, but the south-polar continent still has many mysteries and secrets. For inveterate travelers, the warm month in Antarctica is a new experience, an opportunity to see rare representatives of the animal world and take unique photos.
Are expeditions to the Arctic Circle dangerous
Messages about any unforeseen situations with tourists in Antarctica are, but rarely. For example, in November 2009, the Russian ship Captain Khlebnikov 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 weather conditions, but as soon as the ebb began, the ship managed to free itself from the "white captivity". A Russian icebreaker with English tourists and television people on board cruised in the area of the Weddell Sea (West Antarctica).
A map of the mainland and the Antarctic Peninsula gives an idea of the location of the sea, but only experienced pilots can navigate between icebergs. In December 2013, drifting ice stopped the Russian ship Akademik Shokalsky. Passengers were evacuated aboard the Australian icebreaker in early January 2014.
Tour to Antarctica - a high portion of adrenaline provided
According to researchers of Antarctica, the mainland is suitable for organizing cruises, dog sledding trips and other outdoor activities. The history of Antarctic sea cruises has more than 90 years. In 1920, enterprising ship owners began to take on board the first tourists who want to see the white continent with their own eyes. The cost of modern cruises and other types of trips to the shores of Antarctica and the South Pole is 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.