Mean Temperature in Arctic Climate

The Arctic climate is one of the coldest on Earth, characterised by long, harsh winters, short cool summers, and extreme seasonal variations in daylight. The region lies north of the Arctic Circle (approximately 66°33′ N latitude) and includes the Arctic Ocean, northern parts of North America, Europe, and Asia, as well as Greenland. Due to its high latitude and low solar angle, the Arctic receives limited sunlight throughout the year, resulting in persistently low temperatures.

General Temperature Characteristics

The mean temperature in the Arctic climate varies greatly between seasons but remains below freezing for most of the year. The region experiences a strong contrast between the frigid polar night of winter and the continuous daylight of summer.
Typical temperature patterns include:

• Extremely cold winters with prolonged darkness.
• Cool, brief summers with continuous daylight but limited heat due to the low sun angle.
• Large annual range of temperature, though daily variation remains relatively small.

Mean Temperatures by Season

1. Winter (October to April):

• The Arctic winter is long and severe, with temperatures often dropping below −30°C in the interior regions.
• Coastal areas, influenced by oceanic currents, remain somewhat milder, averaging −15°C to −25°C.
• The coldest month is typically February, when some areas like central Greenland or northern Siberia can experience temperatures below −40°C.
• Lack of solar radiation during the polar night contributes to extreme surface cooling.

2. Summer (June to August):

• During summer, the Arctic receives 24 hours of daylight (the “midnight sun”), but because the Sun remains low on the horizon, heating is weak.
• The mean summer temperatures range between 0°C and 10°C, rarely exceeding 15°C even in the warmest areas.
• In coastal zones and islands near the Arctic Ocean, melting ice moderates the air temperature.
• Tundra regions may experience brief thaws, allowing vegetation to grow during this short season.

3. Annual Mean Temperature:

• The annual mean temperature in most of the Arctic region is below 0°C.
• Typical averages are:
  • −15°C to −25°C in interior continental areas (e.g., northern Siberia, central Greenland).
  • −5°C to −10°C in coastal regions and islands moderated by oceanic influence.
  • −2°C to 0°C in areas affected by warm currents such as the North Atlantic Drift, for example in parts of northern Norway and Iceland.

Regional Variations in Temperature

1. Greenland Interior:
   • One of the coldest parts of the Arctic.
   • Mean annual temperature: −25°C to −30°C.
   • Winter lows below −50°C are common due to high elevation and ice-sheet cover.
2. Northern Siberia and Arctic Russia:
   • Harsh continental climate with large seasonal contrasts.
   • Mean annual temperature: around −15°C to −20°C.
   • Summer temperatures may rise to 5°C–10°C, allowing brief snowmelt.
3. Alaska and Northern Canada:
   • Coastal regions are moderated by the ocean, maintaining mean annual temperatures of −10°C to −15°C.
   • Interior zones experience colder winters but slightly warmer summers.
4. Scandinavia and the European Arctic:
   • Influenced by the North Atlantic Drift, resulting in relatively mild Arctic conditions.
   • Mean annual temperatures range from −2°C to −6°C, among the warmest in the Arctic Circle.
5. Arctic Ocean and Sea Ice Regions:
   • The Arctic Ocean remains covered by ice for most of the year.
   • The presence of sea ice keeps temperatures near the freezing point of seawater (about −2°C).
   • Seasonal melting and freezing of sea ice affect regional air temperature and global climate patterns.

Factors Influencing Temperature in the Arctic

Several geographical and meteorological factors shape the Arctic’s mean temperature:

• Latitude and Solar Radiation: The high latitude results in low solar angles and extended periods of darkness in winter.
• Albedo Effect: Ice and snow reflect up to 80–90% of incoming sunlight, reducing surface absorption of heat.
• Ocean Currents: Warm currents such as the North Atlantic Drift moderate temperatures along the European Arctic coast.
• Sea Ice Extent: Seasonal changes in ice cover influence local and global temperature regulation.
• Continentality: Inland areas far from the ocean exhibit more extreme cold due to lack of moderating maritime influence.
• Elevation: High-elevation regions like central Greenland experience colder temperatures than coastal lowlands.

Impact of Climate Change

In recent decades, the Arctic has been warming at more than twice the global average rate, a phenomenon known as Arctic amplification. Rising temperatures have led to:

• Thinning and retreat of sea ice.
• Longer melting seasons.
• Increasing mean annual temperatures by 2°C to 4°C in several regions since the late 20th century.Despite this warming, the Arctic remains one of the coldest regions on Earth, with subzero mean temperatures persisting throughout most of the year.