Antarctica Temperatures: Land and Sea

Extreme Cold Climate

Land Temperatures

• Summer (Dec–Feb): Avg -10°C to -25°C (14°F to -13°F); coastal highs near 0°C (32°F).
• Winter (Jun–Aug): Avg -30°C to -50°C (-22°F to -58°F); record low -89°C (-128.6°F) at South Pole.

Sea Temperatures

• Summer: 0°C to 2°C (32°F to 36°F) in coastal areas.
• Winter: -1.8°C to -2°C (28.8°F to 28.4°F).

Sea temps influenced by ice cover, currents, winds. Coastal ice-free areas slightly warmer. Interior high altitude = colder.