Ice and Snow Reflect 90% of Solar Radiation in Antarctica

Antarctica's extreme cold is largely due to its ice sheet, which covers 98% of the continent. The bright white surface has a high albedo (~0.9), reflecting ~90% of incoming solar radiation back to space. The remaining 10% is absorbed, but the cold, dry air and lack of cloud cover allow rapid radiative cooling. This ice-albedo feedback locks in the frozen state.