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The climate of Antarctica is the coldest on Earth. The continent is also extremely dry (it is a desert [ 1 ] ), averaging 166 mm (6.5 in) of precipitation per year. Snow rarely melts on most parts of the continent, and, after being compressed, becomes the glacier ice that makes up the ice sheet .
The colder temperatures of the southeast, Weddell Sea side, of the Antarctic Peninsula are reflected in the persistence of ice shelves that cling to the eastern side. [19] [20] Precipitation varies greatly within the Antarctic Peninsula. From the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula to 68° S, precipitation averages 35–50 cm (14–20 in) per year.
Most of Antarctica is covered by the Antarctic ice sheet, with an average thickness of 1.9 km (1.2 mi). Antarctica is, on average, the coldest, driest, and windiest of the continents, and it has the highest average elevation. It is mainly a polar desert, with annual precipitation of over 200 mm (8 in) along the coast and far less inland.
Typical of inland Antarctica, Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station experiences an ice cap climate with BWk precipitation patterns. [30] The peak season of summer lasts from December to mid February. At the Amundsen–Scott the average annual precipitation is approximately 50 millimeters (2 inches), primarily falling as snow. [31]
This is a list of countries by average annual precipitation. List. Per the World Bank (2017) [1] [2] Country mm/ year) Continent 1
While colder temperatures have been recorded at Vostok Station, Antarctica (minus 128.6 degrees on July 21, 1983) and Klink Station, Greenland (minus 93.3 degrees on Dec. 22, 1991), Oymyakon's ...
Vostok Station has an ice cap climate (EF), with subzero temperatures year round, typical as with much of Antarctica. Annual precipitation is only 22 millimetres (0.87 in) (all occurring as snow), [20] making it one of the driest places on Earth. On average, Vostok station receives 26 days of snow per year. [20]
The average monthly benefit among all retired workers is $1,976 this year. That means the max payment of $5,108 is more than double what the typical retiree is paid.