Does it ever rain in Antarctica?

Despite having the coldest climate on Earth, sometimes temperatures rise high enough above freezing to allow for rain in some parts Antartica.


Asked by: Glyn Wogan, Monmouth

Despite having sub-zero average temperatures, coastal Antarctica is sometimes above freezing, allowing rain to fall. For example, the British Antarctic Survey’s base at Rothera has around 30 days’ rain a year. But further inland, and at the South Pole, the temperature is permanently below freezing, and so it only ever snows.

Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun science facts.