Temperature Extremes: Saudi Arabia vs. Antarctica

Climate Contrast

Saudi Arabia

• Summer (Jun–Aug): 38–45°C (100–113°F); peaks >50°C in interior.
• Winter (Dec–Feb): 10–15°C (50–59°F) in Riyadh; coastal Jeddah milder (20–25°C).

Antarctica

• Coldest (Jul–Aug, winter): Mean –49°C (–56°F) at South Pole; coastal stations –20 to –30°C.
• Warmest (Jan, summer): Mean –2°C (28°F) at coast; South Pole –28°C (–18°F).

Saudi Arabia spans hyper-arid desert to Red Sea coast; Antarctica is a polar plateau (avg. elevation 2,500 m) with katabatic winds. The temperature gap exceeds 90°C.