Climatic Conditions

Temperature: The polar climate is characterized by a very low mean annual temperature and its warmest month in June seldom rises to more than 10°C. In mid-winter (January) temperatures are as low as – 35°C and much colder in the interior. Winters are long and very severe; summers are cool and brief.

Precipitation: Precipitation is mainly in the form of snow, falling in winter and being drifted about during blizzards. Snowfall varies with locality; it may fall either as ice crystals or large, amalgamated snowflakes. Convectional rainfall is generally absent because of the low rate of evaporation and the lack of moisture in the cold polar air. There is normally a summer maximum, and the precipitation is then in the form of rain or sleet.