Question 1
Polar climates get most of their precipitation in the ________.
◦ spring
◦ summer
◦ fall
◦ winter
◦ It is uniform throughout the year.
Question 2
Polar regions receive nearly continuous sunlight in the summer months so why doesn't the mean temperature during those months get above 10°C?
◦ The reflection of the sun's energy (albedo) by the ice and snow prevents the area from warming.
◦ The ozone layer has thinned significantly over the polar regions and this prevents heat from being trapped near the surface in those areas.
◦ The sun's energy has to heat the frozen atmosphere in order to reach the land and that takes all summer.
◦ In the summer, the winds blow from the cold oceans and keep the temperatures low.
◦ The sun is too low in the sky to be an effective heat source.
Total fertility rates (TFRs) among major regions of the world.
Polar Bear Cubs
An alpine marmot at the end of summer. Note the fattened belly.
South polar cap in 2000