The icy desert of Antarctica receives less than 50 mm of rainfall each year, making it the driest region on the planet.
Antarctica — Experts identify Antarctica as the driest and coldest continent on Earth, where annual rainfall is nearly nonexistent. Often described as a vast “ice desert,” this region experiences extremely low humidity and minimal precipitation throughout the year.
According to climate data, most parts of Antarctica receive less than 50 millimeters of precipitation annually — the lowest amount recorded anywhere on the planet. Almost all available water exists in the form of ice or snow, while liquid rainfall is extremely rare.
Scientists explain that the continent’s extremely low temperatures, which often drop below –60°C, cause the moisture in the air to freeze. As a result, clouds rarely form, and chances of rainfall are almost zero.
Interestingly, although Antarctica is covered by massive ice sheets stretching thousands of meters thick, most of this ice is ancient, accumulated over millions of years. New snowfall or rainfall occurs at a very slow rate.
Despite global climate change, the majority of Antarctica remains extremely dry. Only a few coastal areas receive slightly higher snowfall, while the interior remains the driest region on Earth.
