The climate of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (United
Kingdom)
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are located in the
southern part of the Atlantic Ocean and is under the administration of
the Falkland Islands. South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are
a part of the Scotia Arc which connects the Andes with the Antarctic
peninsula. South Georgia consists of 8 islands and several rock
formations. The South Sandwich Islands consist of 13 islands, several
of which can be seen as island groups. The archipelago that is part of
South Georgia was the reason for the Falkland war between the United
Kingdom and Argentina in 1982. Political fencing led to a war which
caused 1,000 casualties and several sunken ships. Nowadays the islands
are uninhabited. However, a few researchers are stationed on the
islands, but not permanently. Grytviken is a small settlement with a
church and a small harbor. On Bird Island a research station can be
found. South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands have a tundra
climate influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. The climate is mildest in
the northern part of the island because the southerly winds of the
South Pole have the least influence here. In short: the climate is
cold with temperatures always around freezing point and even lower on
the south side. Most precipitation falls in the form of snow.
Climate figures The figures below are based on long term weather and climate
records. They are an average for South Georgia and the South Sandwich
Islands
average maximum
temperature (°C)
average
minimum
temperature (°C)
average
hours of sunshine
per day
average days with
precipitation
per month
average
mm precipitation
per month
average
sea
temperature (°C)
January
7
1
3
28
3
February
8
1
2
19
3
March
7
0
2
21
3
April
4
-2
1
19
3
May
2
-4
1
18
2
June
1
-5
1
18
1
July
0
-6
1
18
1
August
1
-5
2
16
0
September
3
-4
2
17
0
October
4
-2
2
22
0
November
5
-1
3
26
1
December
6
0
3
28
2
= 0-5 mm ●
= 6-30 mm ●
= 31-60 mm ●
= 61-100 mm ●
= 101-200 mm ●
=
over 200 mm = 0-0.2 inches ● = 0.2-1.2 inches ● = 1.2-2.4 inches ● = 2.5-4 inches ● = 4.1-8 inches ● = over 8 inches
More climate information
Climate tables are useful but they don’t give an overall picture of
the climate and possible weather conditions during a period of time.
How high the chances are of hot or cold weather or hurricanes can
often not be found in these tables. This is why we offer extra climate
information per month. The figures below are for South Georgia and the
South Sandwich Islands. Please, note that local deviations may occur.
Disclaimer
The information at this site was carefully composed from climate data collected by meteorological services, meteorological offices, climate experts and other sources. “More climate info” is based on statistics, climate data and personal experience. No rights can be derived from this site. Weather has no memory and gives no guaranties. Nothing is as changeable and unpredictable as the weather. The authors of this site feel in no way responsible for any damages caused by misinterpretation or other circumstances that may influence your holiday or trip to a certain destination. We provide information, it’s up to the reader to use it to it’s benefit.
this site in Dutch
= 0-5 mm ●
= 6-30 mm ●
= 31-60 mm ●
= 61-100 mm ●
= 101-200 mm ●
=
over 200 mm
