here’s my question: I’ve believed for a long time that the mean temperature at the south pole is lower than that at the north pole. I do know that the lowest temperature ever recorded was recorded there, although that certainly doesn’t affect mean temperature - but it does say something. (what?) I don’t know if it’s even true, but if it is, what are some hypotheses to explain it?
Well, I’m no meteorologist, but it seems likely that the higher temperature up north comes from the effect of the Arctic Ocean. Water always moderates climate, because of its high heat capacity. It resists large variations in temperature, either up or down.
The South Pole, being in the middle of a continent, is not defended by the sea. Land more quickly radiates away what heat is absorbed during the warm periods.
“If you prick me, do I not…leak?” --Lt. Commander Data
Are you referring to this Straight Dope column,
“Are the earth’s poles going to shift soon? (03-Apr-1987)”, where Cecil Adams says
I agree with Saltire’s explanation.
Another (possible) factor is that the Southern Hemisphere has it’s summer when the Earth is closer to the Sun, and winter when it’s farther, so southern seasons tend to be a bit more extreme than northern. This would definitely help explain the south pole holding the record temperature, although I’m not sure what effect it would have on the average…
“There are only two things that are infinite: The Universe, and human stupidity-- and I’m not sure about the Universe”
–A. Einstein
Another explanation is that the South Pole is located about 7,000 feet above sea level, whereas the North Pole is AT sea level.
Man, you guys are great. I should have known that a Straight Dope bbs would be high quality. I think all three ideas have merit: water effect, higher altitude, greater distance from the sun. Could there be anything else?
The south pole has no elfin body heat.