Climate of Antarctica
- Created by: carys
- Created on: 31-05-19 13:44
View mindmap
- It is a DESERT
- Antarctica - Climate
- Strong KATABATIC WINDS
- Can reach 200-300kph. pressure gradient between land and ocean. Air moves towards the ocean = 'wind chill'
- It is VERY COLD
- Average temp is -49 degrees Celsius.
- Ice and snow has a high albedo.
- Altitude - for every 100m rise = -1 degree. Antarctica is 2300m above sea level/
- Latitude
- Distance from the sea.
- The Southern Ocean
- A circompolar body of water that encircles Antarctica.
- The Antarctic Circumpolar Current - blocks warmer water travelling South. Travels in an eastwards direction, caused by westerly winds.
- The Antarctic Convergence Zone - meeting of warm surface water from North with cold Antarctic water. Located 60 degrees south. There is an up-welling of nutrient rich cold water - phytoplankton thrives and so provides food for Krill.
- Micro-climatic conditions and topography allow some land to be free from ice in the summer. The West Antarctic Peninsula is one of the fastest warming areas on Earth.
- Strong KATABATIC WINDS
- less than 166mm of precipitation.
- Cold air can't hold as much moisture
- Dominance of high pressure zones.
- Antarctica - Climate
Comments
No comments have yet been made