Two opposite ends of a terrestrial axis — the Southern and Northern poles — are one of the coldest places on the planet. Though both points receive the minimum quantity of solar heat, on the South Pole temperature is much lower, than on Northern.
Climatic features of the North Pole
The geographical North Pole is in the Arctic at distance of 1370 km from Cape Chelyuskin, the most northern point of the Eurasian continent. In this place depth of the Arctic Ocean is about 4080 m, and its surface is covered with the drifting ices about 3 m thick.
Air temperature on the North Pole in winter time varies from - 43 wasps to - 26 wasps, on average — near - 34 wasps. In the summer, from June to August, average temperature keeps on a mark about 0th OS. As salty ocean water has lower temperature of freezing, than fresh, at such warm climate ices begin to thaw. Since the end of March until the end of September the sun over the North Pole does not set. Other six months the region is in complete darkness.
What climate on the South Pole
The geographical South Pole is located on the continent Antarctica in Antarctic and is remote from the South American Cape Horn on 3734 km. In this point thickness of an ice cover is 2700 m, and height above sea level — about 2830 m. From June to August which are winter months in the Southern hemisphere temperature on the South Pole remains stable at the level near - 65 wasps. In the spring and is warmer in the fall — near - 45 wasps, in the summer the thermometer shows - 25 wasps. In this place sun also shines continuously within half a year (only since the end of September until the end of March), and as much time it is hidden behind the horizon.
The lowest temperature which was registered on the South Pole is 82.8 wasps, and the highest — - 13.6 wasps.
What factors influence the difference of temperatures on poles
Both polar regions receive much less solar energy, than tropics and middle latitudes. The sun on poles does not rise over the horizon more than by 23.5 degrees, and the most part of sunlight is reflected from white surfaces. Nevertheless temperature on the South Pole is on average 30 wasps lower, than on Northern. Such difference in temperatures first of all is explained by the fact that the South Pole is in the center of the continental land highly above sea level whereas the North Pole is located in the middle of the ocean at sea level. In process of increase in height above sea level air temperature decreases. More than 2.5 km are done by the South Pole colder, than Northern.
Antarctica is the highest continent on the earth.
An important role is played by ability of sea water to work as the insulator, incorporating solar heat from the atmosphere in the summer and warming cold air in the winter. Ocean currents and strong winds lead to the movement of a glacial cover of the Arctic Ocean. This movement causes formation of big cracks that allows ocean heat to get into the atmosphere. The South Pole has no such effective reservoir of heat. The ice cover which is under it which is colder than ocean water and the continental earth promote more frigid climate, than on an opposite pole.