Antarctica Climate and Average Weather
Climate of Antarctica: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
Climate in Antarctica month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -8° | -20° | 0,0 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| February | -16° | -28° | 0,2 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| March | -36° | -47° | 0,1 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| April | -43° | -54° | 0,1 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| May | -45° | -54° | 0,1 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| June | -52° | -62° | 0,0 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| July | -41° | -52° | 0,3 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| August | -41° | -52° | 0,1 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| September | -37° | -48° | 0,3 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| October | -31° | -43° | 0,2 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| November | -18° | -30° | 0,2 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| December | -8° | -18° | 0,0 in | ★★★☆☆ |
Climate type: Semi-arid. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Recent extremes in Antarctica
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
Climate by mountain in Antarctica
1 mountains and peaks mapped in this atlas
Climate by region in Antarctica
2 regions mapped in this atlas
Climate by island in Antarctica
2 islands mapped in this atlas
Climate by attraction in Antarctica
2 attractions mapped in this atlas
Best time to visit Antarctica
Go in January, February and December. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: May, June and July - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What this means for Antarctica
Today is slightly warmer than average for August. The forecast high of -37°F is 3.2°F above the -41°F typical for this month.
A 47% chance means rain is likely somewhere nearby at some point - carry a layer, but do not cancel.
Gusts to 42 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges. Overnight lows near -70°F mean ice is possible on bridges before dawn.
Above 60 degrees latitude, daylight swings enormously - summer nights barely darken and winter days are short.
Southern Hemisphere, so peak summer falls in December to February.
The gap between the warmest and coldest month averages 76°F.
What to pack, what to skip
- A warm mid-layer and gloves for early mornings and evenings
- Insulated outer layer, hat and boots with grip for ice
- Avoid high-elevation trails without traction devices - frozen surfaces persist in shade all day.
- Avoid exposed ridgelines, small boats and rooftop viewpoints while gusts stay above 42 mph.
- If your dates are flexible, avoid May, June and July - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
Antarctica is a continent. Antarctica is the southernmost continent, a polar desert covered by an ice sheet that holds most of the planet's fresh water. It has a population of about 1.000.
Right now it is -62°F (-52°C) in Antarctica with overcast. It feels like -78°F. Today runs from -70°F to -37°F. Chance of precipitation is 47%. Sightseeing conditions score 5.2/10 - marginal.
The best time to visit Antarctica is January, February and December. The climate is semi-arid. May, June and July tend to be the least comfortable months. December is the warmest month with average highs near -8°F, while June is the coldest with lows near -62°F.
Nearby highlights include Mount Vinson, Deception Island, McMurdo Station and South Georgia.
In plain terms. Today is slightly warmer than average for August. The forecast high of -37°F is 3.2°F above the -41°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 8 AM to 11 AM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. Gusts to 42 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges. Overnight lows near -70°F mean ice is possible on bridges before dawn.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Quick facts about Antarctica
| Type | Continent |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 75°15′3.2″S 0°4′16.7″W (-75.2509, -0.0713) |
| Population | 1.000 |
| Area | 5.482.648 sq mi |
| Local time | 1:03 AM (UTC+02:00) |
| Best months | January, February and December |
| Climate | Semi-arid |
Weather map for Antarctica
Animated model layers. Pick a layer to load it.
Animated layers by Windy. For pin-level detail and nearby places, see the interactive map below.
Explore Antarctica
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Antarctica?
Antarctica is a continent. Its coordinates are -75.2509, -0.0713.
What is the weather like in Antarctica right now?
It is currently -62°F (-52°C) with overcast. Humidity is 69% and wind is 19 mph.
When is the best time to visit Antarctica?
January, February and December offer the most comfortable conditions in Antarctica, which has a semi-arid climate. May, June and July are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Antarctica in?
Antarctica observes Africa/Johannesburg (UTC+02:00). The local time is 1:03 AM.
How many people live in Antarctica?
Antarctica has a population of approximately 1.000.
What are the top things to do in Antarctica?
Popular options include Mount Vinson, Deception Island, McMurdo Station, South Georgia and South Pole.
What places are in Antarctica?
Antarctica covers 7 places in this atlas, including Mount Vinson, Antarctic Peninsula, Deception Island, McMurdo Station, Ross Ice Shelf and South Georgia.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (continents) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Forecast and observations | Open-Meteo (ECMWF and national models). |
| Air quality and pollen | Copernicus CAMS via Open-Meteo. US AQI scale. |
| Climate averages | ERA5 reanalysis via the Open-Meteo archive, aggregated over 3 years. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated August 25, 2026 at 1:03 AM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
