Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 4.8
Map of average annual surface temperature in Antarctic. (Credit: Matthew Higgins,
Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado)
The near surface temperature of the Antarctic: why is
Antarctica so cold?
Since Antarctica is located in the polar regions there is a net radiation de
cit in
this region. This radiation de
cit results in cold temperatures, but those
cold temperatures are moderated by the transport of warm air towards the poles
by the global circulation. Without this transport of warm air Antarctica
would become colder with each passing year. Summer temperatures in the
Antarctic range from just above 0ºC near the coast to
-
30ºC in the interior.
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