Polar climate
Polar climate has temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F) for much of the year. According to the Köppen climate classification, a polar climate is one in which no monthly average goes above 10 °C (50 °F).[1] If the temperature is between 0 °C (32 °F) and 10 °C (50 °F) in the warmest month, it is a tundra climate. If the average temperature is below 0 °C (32 °F) in the warmest month, it is an ice cap climate. These climates are found near the poles and on high mountains. There is usually little precipitation because the air is so dry. Ice cap climates are in the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, Iceland, Antarctica and at high altitude.
About 20% of the Earth has a polar climate.[2]
Polar Climate Media
Areas of polar climate according to the Köppen climate classification:* Tundra climate (ET)* Ice cap climate (EF)
Solar radiation has a lower intensity in polar regions because the angle at which it hits the earth is not as direct as at the equator. Another effect is that sunlight has to go through more atmosphere to reach the ground.
Ursus maritimus mother with cub
A map of the Arctic. The red line indicates the 10°C isotherm in July and the white area shows the average minimum extent of sea ice in summer as of 1975.
