Climate of Davis

Temperature

Mean daily maximum temperatures at Davis is around 3 °C in January, and around -14 °C in July and August. Mean daily minimum temperatures range from around -1 °C in January to around -21 °C in August.

The highest temperature recorded is 13 °C, in January and the lowest is -42 °C, in April.

Wind

The climate of Davis is less severe than most other locations in Antarctica because the Vestfold Hills provide shelter from katabatic winds. Winds are mostly (more than 80 percent in some months) from a direction between north and east. The mean annual windspeed is 19 km/h. The windiest month is November while the lightest winds are on average observed in May. The highest gust ever recorded is 206 km/h. Strong winds rarely cause blowing snow and the attendant poor visibility.

Snow

The Davis area is subject to frequently cloudy skies and very low absolute humidity. Snowfall tneds to be very light, occurring on average 12 days in May and 7 days in January. Most snow accumulation is a result of drift snow blown from the ice plateau between March and October.

Sea Ice

Pack ice in September and October can reach as far north as latitude 55 °S. The fast ice edge in winter is usually 5 to 15 km northwest of Davis, and the ice attains its greatest extent and stability in August and September. The maximum thickness of 1.8 metres is reached in November. By January the fast ice is breaking up and being carried out to sea.

Last updated on 22 June 2004