Have you ever wondered how is the polar climateWe know it's incredibly cold, that the landscape is covered in snow for much of the year, but... why is this? What are the actual minimum and maximum temperatures recorded in places with this type of climate?
In this special I'm going to tell you all about polar weather, the coldest there is on Earth.
Characteristics of the polar climate
The polar climate is characterized by almost always having temperatures below 0ºC, being able to arrive until -93ºC (in the North Pole), since the rays of the sun arrive very inclined with respect to the terrestrial surface. Rainfall is very scarce, the relative humidity is very low and the wind blows with great intensity reaching up to 97km / h, so living here is almost impossible (although, as we will see below, there are some animals and plants that have managed to adapt to this hostile environment).
The sun at the poles shines uninterrupted for six months (spring and summer). These months are known by the name of »Polar day». But in the other six (autumn and winter) it remains hidden, which is why it is known as »Polar Night». In addition, it is important to recognize how the climate change is affecting these characteristics.
Example of a polar climate graph
Climograph of Svalbard, an archipelago located in the Arctic Ocean
To get a better idea of what the polar climate is like in these regions of the world, let's take the example of the climate diagram for Svalbard, an archipelago located in the Arctic Ocean. The wettest month is August, with a fall of about 25 mm, and the driest is May, with a fall of about 15 mm. The warmest, however, is June, with a temperature of 6-7 °C, and the coldest is January, with -16ºC. This information is valuable to understand the implications of the polar climate.
Where is it located?
On planet Earth there are two large cold areas, between 65º and 90º north and south latitude, which are the North Pole and the South Pole. In the first, we find the Arctic Circle, and in the second, the Antarctic Circle. However, in other high mountain regions, such as the peaks of the Himalayas, the Andes, or the mountains of Alaska, a climate very similar to the polar one exists, which is why they are often included in geographical representations of the polar climate. It is interesting to observe how these places are affected by current conditions. climate change.
Types of polar climate
Although we might think that there is only one type of polar climate, in reality it is subdivided into two:
- Tundra: is one in which vegetation does not grow much; most are low-growing grasses. As we approach the polar circles, we find a landscape almost devoid of flora. Several plants and animals live here, such as the polar bear, which is also affected by the change in their habitat.
- Ice or glacial: corresponds to altitudes greater than 4.700 m. The temperature is very low: always below 0 degrees.
Climate in Antarctica
Antarctica experiences very low temperatures. The tundra climate prevails in coastal areas and on the Antarctic Peninsula, with an average summer temperature of 0 degrees Celsius, while winter temperatures can drop to -83 degrees Celsius or even lower. The average temperature per year is -17ºC. It is also important to note that Antarctica has an extreme climate which does not receive much solar radiation, and also, up to 90% of it is reflected by ice, thus preventing the surface from heating up. For this reason, Antarctica is called "Earth's refrigerator."
Climate in the Arctic
The climate in the Arctic is very extreme, but not as extreme as the Antarctic. Winters are very cold, with temperatures that can drop to -45ºC, and even to -68ºCIn summer, which lasts six to ten weeks, the temperature is much more pleasant at 10°C. This highlights the importance of studying the polar climate and its comparison with other areas.
Humidity is very low, except in summer in coastal areas. The temperature is very cold the rest of the year, and water barely evaporates. Furthermore, rainfall is very scarce, especially during winter.
Polar flora
The polar flora is characterized by having a rather small size. The winds blow with great intensity, so it is imperative to stay as close to the ground as possible. But it is not easy, since it stays cold practically all year round. Thus, the trees could not survive, so the little land that plants can inhabit has been colonized by moss, lichens y scrubHere, the climate is a constant challenge for the flora.
Vegetation can only be found in the tundra, since in the white deserts of glacial regions the conditions are not suitable for life. This illustrates how the climate change affects these regions.
Polar fauna
Polar fauna is characterized by having an urgent need to protect itself from extreme cold. To achieve this, they have taken different forms, for example: Some have thick fur and also accumulate subcutaneous fat; others build tunnels or underground galleries, and still others prefer to migrate.
Among the most representative fauna we have the polar bears, which is the largest mammalian animal in the Arctic, the wolf, musk ox, or the snow goat. There are also aquatic animals, such as seals, Sea wolf, or sharks, like the Somniosus microcephalus that feeds on polar bears. It is important to consider how these animals are influenced by the effects of climate change.
And with this we end. What did you think of the polar climate information?
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