Polar climate characteristics

We start responding to what polar climate is. The polar climate is one that is characterized by a intense cold and the absence of summer. The landscape is predominantly white due to Ice and snow.

For the polar climate, according to Köppen’s climatic classification, the average temperature of the warmest month is always less than 10 ºC. That temperature coincides with the treet growth limit, therefore, in the polar climate we will never find tree vegetation.

Where is the polar climate? Occurs in high latitudesthat is, in polar regions or polar circles. In the northern hemisphere it is more common and is located above the parallel of 70º latitude; On the other hand, in the southern hemisphere begins to occur from the 55th parallel. Thus, the climate in the Arctic is polar type and Climate in Antarctica It is also.

We can also find this climate in the areas of great height or altitude that give rise to similar conditions, such as in the Himalayas or in the Andes. We recommend you read this other article on how the relief in the weather influences.

Are there several Types of polar climate? Yes, there are two types of polar climates. When the average temperature of the warmer month is greater than 0 ºC (but less than 10 ºC as we said previously) we have the Tundra climate And when it is less than 0 ºC we have the perpetual ice climate or also called glacial climatewhich is, therefore, more extreme than the previous one. Here you can learn more about perpetual ice: weather, flora, fauna and images

The tundra climate occurs in the Arctic and Antarctic coastal strips. The influence of the sea is the one that makes some month exceed 0 ºC and there may be a thaw on the surface, but not to greater depth, where the ground remains frozen (Permanfrost).

Tundra climate is a transition climate to others Types of cold climates (although not as much as polar climates) as is the Subpolar, boreal or subarctic climatewhere the typical vegetation is the Taiga forest (with conifers).

In addition to the Thermal characteristics Already commented that are used for the classification of polar climates, there are some others. These are:

• Temperature contrasts are strong between the time with the highest solar radiation received and the time with lower solar radiation.
• The polar climate has the lowest average annual temperatures in the world.
• Specifically, in the glacial or perpetual ice climate, extraordinary temperatures of up to -88 ºC (Vostok Observatory of Antarctica) have been recorded.
• In the glacial climate the coldest months are always below -50 ºC.

We continue now talking about characteristics of rainfall in polar areas. The most remarkable are:

• Polar climate rainfall is scarce. In the atmosphere the high pressures reign, which prevents clouds from forming very often.
• In the case of the Tundra climate, rainfall is less than 250 mm, while 8 mm are not overcome in the glacial climate.
• Precipitation throughout the year are decreasing as we move away from coastal areas, being able to reach 0 mm.
• Precipitation of the polar climate are mostly solid, since the low temperatures almost never allow water to fall in a liquid state to the ground.

In a Polar Climogram We can see these characteristics of rainfall, as well as those of temperatures. Below we show you an example of the polar climogram of the Vostok Observatory of Antarctica.

Another typical polar climate feature is strong winds. They are sometimes winds Hurricane, very cold and dense which flow by gravity from the highest areas to the areas of lower height.

Sometimes these winds can be loaded with snow, either because at that time it is snowing or because the wind raises the snow that has fallen moments before. Ventisca can reduce visibility to just a few meters.

Why are the poles so cold? On the one hand, the main cause is low insolation or solar radiationsince, due to the Earth’s axis inclinationin the poles there are long 6 months. On the other hand, as the sun rises from the horizon during the day, the efficacy of the solar rays to rise the temperature is very limited.

Another cause is the high Snow and Ice Albedo. The Albedo is the amount of light that is reflected towards space and white color reflects a lot of light preventing the rise in temperatures. In the coldest areas the addition of the high elevation is given. This happens inside Greenland (3,000 m) and in Antarctica (even with greater height).

Let’s see now What kind of vegetation is in the polar climate. The polar climate flora It will be different depending on what the climate subtype is, that is, if it is tundra climate or is it glacial climate:

• Glacial climate flora: The terrain is inhospitable and only during the least cold months can you find some licos, mosses and algae.
• Tundra climate flora: The typical vegetation has the same name. In the areas closest to the glacial climate we have the tundra with padded vegetation, followed by the herbaceous and shrub tundra. Some tree can appear in the limits with the subpolar climate. In this other post you can know much more about tundra: characteristics, flora and fauna.

What are the animals that live in the polar climate? Like vegetation, Polar climate fauna Nor is it very abundant. Thus, we have:

• Terrestrial mammals: Almost all with white hair to be able to camouflage in this environment. We have the Arctic Liebre, the Arctic Fox, the polar bear, the Arctic Wolf, the reindeer, etc. Here we talk about the polar bear is in danger of extinction?
• Birds: Most migrate in the coldest months towards softer climates.
• Aquatic animals: There is more variety than in the previous groups. Some examples are: seals, penguins, fish, whales and narval.

To expand more information about what are the Characteristics of the polar climate zonewe recommend you read this other article about the polar ecosystem: characteristics, fauna and flora and watch this video about the animals of the north and south poles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Met56GTGBJQ

If you want to read more articles similar to Polar climate characteristicswe recommend that you enter our category of other environment.