April weather forecast
Antarctica

April in Antarctica marks a further deepening of autumn and the transition towards the long, harsh winter. The drop in temperatures becomes more pronounced during this month. Coastal regions experience temperatures between -15°C (5°F) and -10°C (14°F), while inland areas endure colder conditions, with temperatures hovering around -60°C (-76°F).

Notable research stations continue to register dropping temperatures. McMurdo Station sees average temperatures around -15°C (5°F), and at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, temperatures drop further to approximately -60°C (-76°F).

As the temperatures fall, the sea ice continues to thicken and expand, leading to increasingly limited accessibility to the continent by sea. Consequently, tourism is virtually non-existent during this period.

By April, the majority of wildlife has left the continent, migrating to warmer climates. The exception is the emperor penguin, which begins its breeding cycle. Hardy seals, such as the Weddell seal, can also be found utilizing cracks and leads in the sea ice.

Compared to March, April is significantly colder, with much less daylight as the sun dips below the horizon for longer periods. Looking ahead to May, the temperatures will continue their downward trend as Antarctica plunges further into winter, with the sun barely appearing above the horizon.

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• Artigas Base - April »
  Artigas Base transitions into a dark, dreary environment in April, with an almost complete drop in daylight and sunshine. April through August, with an average of 0h of sunshine, are months with the least sunshine in Artigas Base, Antarctica.
• McMurdo - April »
  In McMurdo during April, snow falls for 16.4 days and regularly aggregates up to 127mm (5") of snow. In McMurdo, during April, the rain falls for 4.5 days and regularly aggregates up to 18mm (0.71") of precipitation.
• Snow Hill Island - April »
  April 2024, at 03:00, Daylight Saving Time ends in Snow Hill Island and the time zone changes from NZDT to NZST. When does Daylight Saving Time end in April in Snow Hill Island?