Ross Ice Shelf Climate and Average Weather
Climate of Ross Ice Shelf: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
Climate in Ross Ice Shelf 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 | 19° | 13° | 0,1 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| February | 4° | -4° | 0,3 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| March | -15° | -25° | 0,2 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| April | -22° | -34° | 0,2 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| May | -22° | -35° | 0,2 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| June | -19° | -33° | 0,4 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| July | -29° | -42° | 0,2 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| August | -32° | -45° | 0,1 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| September | -21° | -34° | 0,3 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| October | -14° | -26° | 0,2 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| November | 3° | -6° | 0,1 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| December | 20° | 14° | 0,2 in | ★★★☆☆ |
Climate type: Semi-arid. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Recent extremes in Ross Ice Shelf
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
How Ross Ice Shelf compares with nearby places
Annual averages, and the difference against Ross Ice Shelf.
| Place | Distance | Avg temp | vs here | Annual rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McMurdo Station | 337 mi | -6°F | +42°F warmer | 4 in |
Best time to visit Ross Ice Shelf
Go in January, November 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 Ross Ice Shelf
Today is warmer than average for August. The forecast high of -21°F is 11.3°F above the -32°F typical for this month.
Rain is very unlikely today - plans do not need a backup.
Overnight lows near -34°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 88°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
- A packable rain shell - 3 of the next 7 days carry a real chance of rain
- Avoid high-elevation trails without traction devices - frozen surfaces persist in shade all day.
- If your dates are flexible, avoid May, June and July - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
Ross Ice Shelf is a region in Antarctica. Ross Ice Shelf is known for the largest ice shelf on Earth.
Right now it is -24°F (-31°C) in Ross Ice Shelf with partly cloudy. It feels like -37°F. Today runs from -34°F to -21°F. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Sightseeing conditions score 6/10 - fair - plan around the weather.
The best time to visit Ross Ice Shelf is January, November 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 20°F, while August is the coldest with lows near -45°F.
In plain terms. Today is warmer than average for August. The forecast high of -21°F is 11.3°F above the -32°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 11 AM to 2 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. photography is the strongest bet in Ross Ice Shelf today at 7.9/10. Overnight lows near -34°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 Ross Ice Shelf
| Type | Region |
|---|---|
| Continent | Antarctica |
| Continent | Antarctica |
| Coordinates | 81°30′0″S 175°0′0″W (-81.5, -175) |
| Known for | the largest ice shelf on Earth |
| Main season | November to March |
| Local time | 11:23 AM (UTC+12:00) |
| Best months | January, November and December |
| Climate | Semi-arid |
Weather map for Ross Ice Shelf
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 Ross Ice Shelf
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Climate for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is Ross Ice Shelf?
Ross Ice Shelf is a region in Antarctica. Its coordinates are -81.5, -175. It lies in Antarctica.
What is the weather like in Ross Ice Shelf right now?
It is currently -24°F (-31°C) with partly cloudy. Humidity is 75% and wind is 14 mph.
When is the best time to visit Ross Ice Shelf?
January, November and December offer the most comfortable conditions in Ross Ice Shelf, which has a semi-arid climate. May, June and July are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Ross Ice Shelf in?
Ross Ice Shelf observes Antarctica/McMurdo (UTC+12:00). The local time is 11:23 AM.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (antarctica) - 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 23, 2026 at 11:23 AM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
