The climate of Antarctica is the coldest on Earth. The continent is also extremely dry (it is a desert[1]), averaging 166 mm (6.5 in) of precipitation per year. Snow rarely melts on most parts of the continent, and, after being compressed, becomes the glacier ice that makes up the ice sheet. Weather fronts rarely penetrate far into the continent, because of the katabatic winds. Most of Antarctica has an ice-cap climate (Köppen classification EF) with extremely cold and dry weather.
- ^ "Frequently Asked Questions about Antarctica". nasa.gov. NASA. Retrieved 5 May 2024.