Visiting Antarctica is a travel experience like no other. The planet’s southernmost continent is home to one of the most extreme climates in the world – in fact, it can only be visited by expedition cruises for fewer than six months every year, due to its long winters and impenetrable sea ice.
The continent’s wild weather and the seasonal nature of expedition cruises makes it all the more important for those who will be visiting Antarctica to know what to expect before their arrival, and to understand just what it is that makes the climate in Antarctica so unique.
We’ve put together this guide to the Antarctic climate, and how it varies throughout the year, as well as outlining exactly what you should be packing if you have an Antarctica trip on the horizon, to help you better prepare for your icy adventure.
Why is the Antarctic climate so cold?
Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth. The coldest natural temperature ever recorded was deep in the interior of the continent at the Soviet research base Vostok in 1983: an almost unimaginable -89.2C (-128.6F). Thankfully, temperatures in the areas visited by expedition cruise ships hover around freezing point, but it’s worth understanding why Antarctica’s climate is unlike any destination in the world.
The main reason for the cold Antarctic climate is the continent’s high latitude. Sunlight strikes Antarctica at a low angle, travelling through more of the atmosphere to reach Earth, reducing the energy that can heat the continent. The high latitude that for six months over the austral winter, the sun never rises above the horizon anywhere within the Antarctic Circle, so the region gets even colder.
But why are Antarctica temperatures even lower than the Arctic? In short, it’s because the Arctic is an ocean surrounded by land, while Antarctica is a landmass surrounded by ocean. The continents surrounding the Arctic trap heat, and bring milder waters to the region. In contrast, the cold Southern Ocean completely encircles Antarctica. In addition, the massive growth of sea ice around Antarctica every year effectively doubles the size of the continent, and its bright white surface reflects the sun’s energy back into space, keeping things even cooler.
Antarctica temperature
The temperature in Antarctica varies drastically throughout the year, though travellers on expedition cruises won’t be faced with the wild extremes experienced by the few scientists who spend the winter there during the darkest coldest months. Antarctic weather during the summer season of November to March is thankfully at its best. This time of year has mild temperatures and increased daylight hours, with 24 hours of sunlight taking place during several months in the summer.
Antarctic Summer
The Antarctic summer is the season for travel to Antarctica. Extending from the tail end of October to late March, summer is the period when the Antarctic Peninsula is free of sea ice, making it safe to explore for Antarctic cruise vessels (there is no great seasonal variation when crossing the Drake Passage: our guide explains why).
While we give average temperatures below, expect a lot of variation during any given day: getting warm in the sun one moment, and then being thankful for your extra layers when a freezing wind blows down from a glacier.
November
November still has a touch of spring to it, and is generally slightly cooler compared to other months in the summer season. The Antarctic Peninsula and the neighbouring South Shetland Islands experience temperatures of around -2C ( 28F), with South Georgia at 5C (41F).
December
December is one of the most popular months for Antarctica cruises. Midsummer day on 21 December is the longest day of the year, with nearly 24 hours of daylight along the Peninsula, and the sun never dipping below the horizon south of the Antarctic Circle.
Antarctic Peninsula temperatures in December clock in at roughly -1C (30F), with South Georgia seeing average temperatures of 5C (41F).
January
In January, the summer season is in full swing in the Antarctica Peninsula, where temperatures reach 32°F (0.2°C). South Georgia sees temperatures of 43°F (6°C).
February
February still sees warm temperatures in Antarctica, with the Antarctic Peninsula clocking in at 34°F (1°C). South Georgia, in comparison, has average temperatures of 45°F (7°C), and The Falklands at 46°F (8°C).
March
March brings the first taste of winter in Antarctica, and this is felt in colder average temperatures, and spotting newly fledged penguins getting ready to head out to see for the winter. This change in the Antarctica weather is compensated by shorter days that offer extraordinary sunsets and more golden hour light for photographers – which visitors should be prepared for if they’re considering visiting on one of the cruises that visit Antarctica during this month.
Antarctica Winter
At the end of March, the last cruise ships in the Peninsula start to experience the formation of the sea ice, indicating the time to head north. There will be no more Antarctic cruises until the end of spring as the continent plunges into its winter darkness. The population of Antarctica—a continent the size of Australia—shrinks to fewer than a thousand, as only a few research bases keep their teams here to overwinter and carry out scientific work. Winter in Antarctica is only for the toughest and the best prepared.
When to visit Antarctica
While the Antarctica weather can vary throughout the season, average temperatures and day lengths aren’t the only things that govern how you experience the White Continent. There are seasonal variations in the wildlife as well.
A visit in Antarctica in the early summer will see penguins returning from the sea to breed in their massive rookeries, once the thick winter snow starts to melt. This isn’t a great time for whale watching as they are still on their migration south from spending winter in the tropics, but in South Georgia the beaches are packed with thousands of fur seals and king penguins in one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in the world.
December and January are the peak months to see penguin chicks hatching, with lots arriving just in time for Christmas. Come February and March, the Peninsula’s bays are thick with whales, growing fat on a diet of tasty krill. The end of the season also brings plenty of spectacular Antarctic sunsets. In South Georgia, fur seal pups are everywhere, along with king penguin chicks – though thanks to their unusual breeding cycle, king penguin chicks can be found all year round on the island.
Our month by month guide about the best time to visit to help you decide when to plan your Antarctic cruise, while our when to go to South Georgia guide has full details on how this Subantarctic island varies throughout the season.
What to wear for the Antarctica Climate
There’s an old adage that says there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. So now that we’ve explored what’s in store regarding the Antarctic climate, it’s easy to understand just how essential it is to pack the right clothes for an Antarctic cruise.
The key message when packing is to bring plenty of layers. This makes it easier to react to changes in the weather or the activities you’re taking part in. For instance, zodiac cruises can feel extra cold as you won’t be moving around and keeping warm, so you’ll appreciate layering up, but if you’re hiking through the snow and the sun is out, you’ll quickly understand the need to strip off a layer or two when you start sweating.
Warm base layers will go under your essential waterproof and windproof outer clothing. For your feet, we find two pairs of socks (one thin, one thick) usually does the trick. Waterproof gloves or mitts are strongly recommended, along with a woolly hat and neck gaiter like a buff. The sun can be very strong in Antarctica, so good sunglasses (or even ski goggles) are essential, along with sunscreen.
Some ships provide parkas for guests during their cruise. However, renting gear is a great way of getting kitted out that’s kind on the budget and the environment, particularly for travellers who live somewhere warm and don’t need cold weather clothes in day to day life. Our guide about how to hire kit for your trip to Antarctica has everything you need to know about this option, with reviews of the different options that we tested out in the field.
If you’re booking your Antarctica trip with Swoop we’ll provide you with a full packing list, as well as inviting you to a pre-departure webinar, where our team will answer all the questions you might have about what to include in your luggage.
Summary
At Swoop, we love Antarctica’s unparalleled landscapes and travel experiences. There is simply no place like it on Earth. Understanding the Antarctic climate is key to getting the most out of a trip here, so we hope this guide will help you plan for your own visit to Antarctica so you can write your own adventure story among the ice and the penguins.
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