Cheapest Airfare To Orlando - Antarctica Weather

It is located in the Southern Hemisphere in close proximity to the South Pole and nearly the whole area remains covered with ice and snow throughout the year. Several countries have sent their expeditions to the continent but people have found it extremely difficult to adapt to its hostile surroundings. It was discovered as late as the early 19th century. Antarctica has the coldest climate conditions and is the only one that remains largely uninhabited, out of the seven continents.

The coastal areas experience relatively lower temperatures as compared to the heart of the continent. The continent is enclosed by oceans all around. The weather here changes in a matter of a few minutes and is totally unpredictable. With the average temperatures falling as low as -30 degree Celsius to -40 degree Celsius, the temperature in winter drops down to -70 degree Celsius but even the summers do not provide any respite. Its whimsical nature has laid a challenging task in front of the weather observation centers, apart from the severity of the weather. The winds are extremely strong usually blowing at a very high velocity. The weather conditions here are unforgiving and extremely harsh and are considered to be unfit for human survival.

It has even been called a desert by some scientists on account of the very little rainfall it receives. The central part of the continent is plunged into darkness while in the summer season it receives uninterrupted sunlight, during the greater part of the winter season.

The Lambert Glacier which is named as the largest glacier in the world is also found here. It is considered to be a breeding ground of glaciers. Blizzards have also been a common phenomenon here reducing visibility to a great extent. Their speed can go up to 200mph. The katabatic winds system (the winds which flow from the core area to the periphery) is exclusive to this continent and can be quite ferocious.

Given such harsh climatic conditions it is no wonder that not many living creatures inhabit this continent. This continent experiences long periods of constant darkness and long periods of constant sunlight. Eastern Antarctica is at a higher elevation than western Antarctica hence it is colder. Antarctica sees very little rainfall and the South Pole doesn't get any.

Diamond dust and sundog can be observed on this continent, unique optical phenomena like the southern lights or aurora australis.