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If you are considering exploring some of the Earth’s most beautiful, yet remote places, it is important to understand just what is in store for you once you get there. One of the most vital elements to consider is the climate and for those wanting to explore the stunning continent of Antarctica, the weather really does play an important part. Antarctic holidays are becoming increasingly popular with those looking to try something different on their next break. As the coldest of the Earth’s continents, the area has witnessed the lowest natural temperature ever recorded, -89.2°C. If you are currently planning a trip to Antarctica, here are the key points that you need to know about the often extreme climate. The continent itself is basically a frozen desert, offering very little precipitation, with less than 10cm of rain recorded at the South Pole per year. Once you reach Antarctica, the atmosphere can be a little daunting to first time visitors, with prolonged periods of constant darkness contrasted with similar length periods of constant sunshine - the latter even lasting for 24 hours at the height of the southern summer around Christmas. It is no surprise that visitors to the area claim that they are often confused as to what time it actually is! One important thing to consider for your trip is the risk of sunburn. This may seem unlikely in Antarctica of all places, but the snow surface is prone to reflecting all of the ultraviolet light that falls upon it, something that you should bear in mind when packing your essentials. However, with travel to the region only possible between November and mid-March, it is worth pointing out what - as a visitor - you will or won't miss. While, for example, temperatures in Antarctica do tend to reach as low as -80 °C during the southern hemisphere winter of between March and September, you will thankfully avoid this as a visitor during the summer months, when temperatures can even be as high as 15 °C in the coastal areas. The exact time of year when you are on the continent will certainly make a massive difference to the conditions that you experience. Much the same could be said of the precise area of this monumental continent that you explore, with the eastern side of Antarctica typically being colder than the west due to the higher elevations. The centre of the continent is cold and dry, due to the main extreme weather fronts not spreading into this area. By contrast, the outer edges of Antarctica are prone to strong winds that often blow at storm force. If you are planning a trip to Antarctica, we highly recommend that you choose an experienced tour company to help guide you around these often unpredictable landscapes. Here at Antarctica Bound, we work with the leading operators to create for you the true holiday of a lifetime in this most extreme and remote corner of the globe.
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