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Monthly climate in McMurdo Station, Antarctica

Last updated: March 2, 2024

Under the Köppen–Geiger climate classification McMurdo Station features a ice cap climate (EF). Temperatures typically range between -25 °C (-13 °F) and -5 °C (24 °F) through the year, but rarely can drop to -40 °C (-39 °F) or can rise to as high as 1 °C (33 °F). The average annual precipitation amounts to about 210 mm (8.3 inches) and receives 53 rainy days on the 1 mm (0.04 inches) threshold annually. McMurdo Station enjoys an average of 3042 hours of sunshine throughout the year, and daylight varies from 0 hours 0 minutes to 24 hours 0 minutes per day.

Monthly average temperatures in McMurdo Station, Antarctica §

The warmest months in McMurdo Station are January, February and December, with daily mean temperatures ranging from -9 to -5 °C (16 - 24 °F) throughout the day. The coldest temperatures usually occur in July, August and September, when daily mean temperatures range from -25 to -24 °C (-13 - -10 °F) throughout the day. On average each year, McMurdo Station experiences 0 days above 25 °C (77.0 °F) and 329 days below 0 °C (32.0 °F).

Monthly average temperatures with daily means, minimums and maximums for period, average high and low temperatures in McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Data for period from January 2017 to June 2022.
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum 0°C
(32°F)		 0°C
(33°F)		 -6°C
(22°F)		 -9°C
(16°F)		 -7°C
(19°F)		 -6°C
(21°F)		 -6°C
(22°F)		 -11°C
(12°F)		 -12°C
(10°F)		 -4°C
(25°F)		 -2°C
(28°F)		 1°C
(33°F)
Mean maximum -0°C
(32°F)		 -3°C
(27°F)		 -8°C
(18°F)		 -12°C
(11°F)		 -10°C
(14°F)		 -11°C
(13°F)		 -11°C
(13°F)		 -13°C
(9°F)		 -15°C
(5°F)		 -9°C
(17°F)		 -4°C
(26°F)		 -0°C
(32°F)
Average high -4°C
(26°F)		 -8°C
(18°F)		 -15°C
(6°F)		 -20°C
(-3°F)		 -19°C
(-2°F)		 -21°C
(-5°F)		 -21°C
(-6°F)		 -23°C
(-9°F)		 -22°C
(-8°F)		 -16°C
(4°F)		 -9°C
(16°F)		 -4°C
(26°F)
Daily mean -5°C
(24°F)		 -9°C
(16°F)		 -16°C
(3°F)		 -22°C
(-7°F)		 -21°C
(-6°F)		 -23°C
(-9°F)		 -24°C
(-10°F)		 -25°C
(-13°F)		 -24°C
(-12°F)		 -18°C
(0°F)		 -11°C
(13°F)		 -5°C
(23°F)
Average low -6°C
(21°F)		 -11°C
(13°F)		 -18°C
(-0°F)		 -24°C
(-11°F)		 -24°C
(-10°F)		 -25°C
(-14°F)		 -26°C
(-14°F)		 -28°C
(-17°F)		 -27°C
(-16°F)		 -20°C
(-4°F)		 -12°C
(10°F)		 -6°C
(21°F)
Mean minimum -10°C
(15°F)		 -16°C
(3°F)		 -25°C
(-13°F)		 -32°C
(-26°F)		 -30°C
(-22°F)		 -31°C
(-24°F)		 -34°C
(-29°F)		 -36°C
(-33°F)		 -34°C
(-29°F)		 -29°C
(-19°F)		 -19°C
(-2°F)		 -10°C
(14°F)
Minimum -10°C
(13°F)		 -19°C
(-2°F)		 -30°C
(-22°F)		 -38°C
(-37°F)		 -34°C
(-29°F)		 -40°C
(-39°F)		 -37°C
(-34°F)		 -39°C
(-38°F)		 -37°C
(-34°F)		 -31°C
(-24°F)		 -20°C
(-4°F)		 -12°C
(10°F)

Compare climate in McMurdo Station with other places

Compare temperature, precipitation, sunshine, UV index in McMurdo Station, Antarctica with other places around the world.

Monthly average precipitation in McMurdo Station, Antarctica §

McMurdo Station usually has the most precipitation in March, August and September, with an average of 5 rainy days and 23 mm (0.9 inches) of precipitation per month. The driest months in McMurdo Station are April, July and November. On average, 12 mm (0.5 inches) of precipitation falls during these months.

Monthly average precipitation and precipitation days in McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Data for period from January 2017 to January 2022.
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average precipitation mm (inches) 15 (0.6) 20 (0.8) 25 (1.0) 12 (0.5) 21 (0.8) 17 (0.7) 14 (0.5) 24 (0.9) 21 (0.8) 19 (0.7) 9 (0.4) 14 (0.5)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) 3 5 7 3 7 5 4 6 4 4 2 3

Monthly sunshine hours in McMurdo Station, Antarctica §

The sunniest months in McMurdo Station are January, November and December, when the sun shines an average of 18 hours 21 minutes a day. Least sunny months in McMurdo Station: May, June and July receive an average of 0 hours 0 minutes of sunshine daily.

Mean monthly sunshine duration, average sunshine hours per day and mean daily daylight hours in McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Generated using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information. Data for period from January 2017 to January 2022.
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Mean monthly sunshine hours 466 435 233 92 0 0 0 14 186 391 604 617
Mean daily daylight hours 24h 0m 22h 35m 13h 34m 6h 59m 0h 0m 0h 0m 0h 0m 4h 1m 10h 45m 19h 36m 24h 0m 24h 0m

Solar UV radiation in McMurdo Station, Antarctica §

McMurdo Station experiences the highest level of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in January, November and December, when the maximum UV index can reach values of 6 - 8, which corresponds to the High / Very High category of sun exposure. May, June and July are in the Low exposure category. In these months, the maximum values of the UV index do not exceed 0. For more detailed information, check out our hourly McMurdo Station UV Index data.

Average daily maximum UV levels by month for McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Generated using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information. Data for period from January 2022 to January 2023.
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
UV Index (month maximum) 6 4 2 1 0 0 0 1 2 5 8 6

Detailed Monthly Weather Insights for McMurdo Station, Antarctica

Discover in-depth weather details for every month in McMurdo Station. Click through the links below for comprehensive overviews of temperature trends, precipitation levels, sunshine hours, and solar UV radiation specifics. Whether planning a visit or simply curious about McMurdo Station's climate nuances, these monthly breakdowns provide the information you need for an informed understanding of what to expect throughout the year.

Each link leads to a detailed account of the typical weather conditions for that month, providing both locals and tourists with vital information to plan their daily activities, wardrobe, and travel itineraries accordingly.