Where to Go for Great Weather
When to go · Climate guide

Antarcticawhen to go

Antarctica's national averages run from -42 °C in July to -21 °C in December, with rainfall between 9 mm in January and 15 mm in May and 0.0–23.4 hours of sun a day. Against the default preferences (under 2.7 mm of rain a day, at least 6 hours of sun), the strongest months are March, October and January. Its 2 regions span -35–-11 °C in annual mean temperature, so the national figure hides a good deal.

Region
Antarctica
Area
12,356,515 km²
Best months to visit

When Antarctica shines

See every month →
  1. #1 · Antarctica
    March

    -36 °C · 13 mm · 4.8 h sun

  2. #2 · Antarctica
    October

    -36 °C · 11 mm · 12.7 h sun

  3. #3 · Antarctica
    January

    -21 °C · 9 mm · 22.6 h sun

Climate at a glance · 10-year ERA5

A decade of weather, in one page

Temperature°C
Temperature · 12-month climatologyAntarctica. Average daytime high by month in °C. Lowest in July (-42.4), highest in December (-20.6). Monthly means: -21.3, -27.9, -35.8, -39.7, -40.2, -41.4, -42.4, -42.4, -42.0, -35.9, -27.2, -20.6.
— daytime high— overnight low▬ typical range
View data table
MonthAverage daytime high (°C)Average overnight low (°C)Typical lowTypical high
January-21.3-25.7-28.8-18.3
February-27.9-32.8-37.9-23.4
March-35.8-40.7-45.1-30.5
April-39.7-44.4-47.9-34.8
May-40.2-45.1-48.4-35.3
June-41.4-46.2-50.5-36.1
July-42.4-47.5-51.6-36.8
August-42.4-47.2-52.5-35.9
September-42.0-46.9-51.5-35.8
October-35.9-41.2-46.0-30.6
November-27.2-32.0-37.8-21.9
December-20.6-24.8-27.9-17.5
Rainfallmm
Rainfall · 12-month climatologyAntarctica. Rainfall by month in mm. Lowest in January (9), highest in May (15). Monthly means: 9, 10, 13, 12, 15, 13, 13, 11, 11, 11, 10, 9.
View data table
MonthRainfall (mm)
January9
February10
March13
April12
May15
June13
July13
August11
September11
October11
November10
December9
Sunshinehr / day
Sunshine · 12-month climatologyAntarctica. Sunshine hours by month in hr / day. Lowest in May (0.0), highest in December (23.4). Monthly means: 22.6, 17.1, 4.8, 1.4, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.1, 2.2, 12.7, 21.4, 23.4.
View data table
MonthSunshine hours (hr / day)
January22.6
February17.1
March4.8
April1.4
May0.0
June0.0
July0.0
August1.1
September2.2
October12.7
November21.4
December23.4
Windkm/h
Wind · 12-month climatologyAntarctica. Average wind speed by month in km/h. Lowest in January (19.5), highest in August (28.9). Monthly means: 19.5, 22.1, 25.2, 27.0, 28.2, 28.5, 28.8, 28.9, 28.2, 26.8, 23.3, 20.0.
— average▬ typical range
View data table
MonthAverage wind speed (km/h)Typical lowTypical high
January19.516.123.9
February22.117.327.4
March25.220.630.0
April27.022.932.1
May28.223.433.5
June28.523.334.7
July28.823.234.4
August28.924.034.4
September28.224.033.7
October26.822.232.2
November23.318.428.9
December20.015.026.6
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2 regions

Antarctica, taken apart

Safety · 2 governments

What the governments say about Antarctica

Combined advisory · most-cautious-wins
Exercise increased caution
Highest level across 2 governments · Advisory last changed
See breakdown by country
US

Exercise increased caution

Changed Checked travel.state.gov
Month by month

A year in Antarctica, in order

  1. Jan
    January-21.3°C · 9 mm · 22.6 hr/day

    Around -21 °C with 9 mm of rain and 22.6 hours of sun a day.

    Around -21 °C with 9 mm of rain and 22.6 hours of sun a day.

    Open the January page →
  2. Feb
    February-27.9°C · 10 mm · 17.1 hr/day

    Around -28 °C with 10 mm of rain and 17.1 hours of sun a day.

    Around -28 °C with 10 mm of rain and 17.1 hours of sun a day.

    Open the February page →
  3. Mar
    March-35.8°C · 13 mm · 4.8 hr/day

    Around -36 °C with 13 mm of rain and 4.8 hours of sun a day.

    Around -36 °C with 13 mm of rain and 4.8 hours of sun a day.

    Open the March page →
  4. Apr
    April-39.7°C · 12 mm · 1.4 hr/day

    Around -40 °C with 12 mm of rain and 1.4 hours of sun a day.

    Around -40 °C with 12 mm of rain and 1.4 hours of sun a day.

    Open the April page →
  5. May
    May-40.2°C · 15 mm · 0.0 hr/day

    Around -40 °C with 15 mm of rain and 0.0 hours of sun a day.

    Around -40 °C with 15 mm of rain and 0.0 hours of sun a day.

    Open the May page →
  6. Jun
    June-41.4°C · 13 mm · 0.0 hr/day

    Around -41 °C with 13 mm of rain and 0.0 hours of sun a day.

    Around -41 °C with 13 mm of rain and 0.0 hours of sun a day.

    Open the June page →
  7. Jul
    July-42.4°C · 13 mm · 0.0 hr/day

    Around -42 °C with 13 mm of rain and 0.0 hours of sun a day.

    Around -42 °C with 13 mm of rain and 0.0 hours of sun a day.

    Open the July page →
  8. Aug
    August-42.4°C · 11 mm · 1.1 hr/day

    Around -42 °C with 11 mm of rain and 1.1 hours of sun a day.

    Around -42 °C with 11 mm of rain and 1.1 hours of sun a day.

    Open the August page →
  9. Sep
    September-42.0°C · 11 mm · 2.2 hr/day

    Around -42 °C with 11 mm of rain and 2.2 hours of sun a day.

    Around -42 °C with 11 mm of rain and 2.2 hours of sun a day.

    Open the September page →
  10. Oct
    October-35.9°C · 11 mm · 12.7 hr/day

    Around -36 °C with 11 mm of rain and 12.7 hours of sun a day.

    Around -36 °C with 11 mm of rain and 12.7 hours of sun a day.

    Open the October page →
  11. Nov
    November-27.2°C · 10 mm · 21.4 hr/day

    Around -27 °C with 10 mm of rain and 21.4 hours of sun a day.

    Around -27 °C with 10 mm of rain and 21.4 hours of sun a day.

    Open the November page →
  12. Dec
    December-20.6°C · 9 mm · 23.4 hr/day

    Around -21 °C with 9 mm of rain and 23.4 hours of sun a day.

    Around -21 °C with 9 mm of rain and 23.4 hours of sun a day.

    Open the December page →
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