Places with Tundra Climate: Cold, Treeless, and Windswept
The tundra climate, classified as ET in the Köppen system, is a polar climate subset where at least one month has an average temperature above 0°C (32°F) but no month exceeds 10°C (50°F). This creates a stark, treeless landscape dominated by mosses, lichens, and dwarf shrubs. It occurs in high-latitude regions: the Arctic coasts of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Scandinavia, and Siberia, as well as high-altitude areas like the Tibetan Plateau and the Andes. Winters are brutally cold, with average temperatures often below -20°C (-4°F), while summers are short and cool, rarely rising above 10°C. Precipitation is low—usually 150–350 mm (6–14 in) annually—but permafrost prevents drainage, creating boggy conditions in summer. The tundra feels like a constant battle between biting cold and fleeting mildness, where life clings to a narrow seasonal window.
Top cities in this climate
About Tundra climate
The Köppen symbol ET stands for Tundra, derived from the Finnish word 'tunturi' meaning treeless hill. The primary diagnostic criterion is that the average temperature of the warmest month lies between 0°C and 10°C. This threshold defines the boundary between tundra and ice cap (EF) climates, where no month averages above 0°C. Unlike boreal climates (D), tundra lacks a true growing season because temperatures never reach the 10°C needed for tree growth. Permafrost—permanently frozen ground—underlies much of the tundra, thawing only in the surface layer during summer. This creates an impermeable layer that saturates the soil, leading to characteristic patterned ground features like ice wedges and polygon soils.
Seasonal patterns are extreme. Winter lasts eight to ten months, with temperatures plummeting to -30°C to -50°C at higher latitudes. In Barrow (Utqiaġvik), Alaska, the sun disappears for over two months, and average February temperatures hover near -27°C. Spring and autumn are brief transition periods. Summer is a short burst of near-continuous daylight—the midnight sun—lasting 6 to 10 weeks. Despite the low maximum temperatures (5–10°C), the constant solar radiation allows rapid plant growth. Precipitation is meager, typically 200–400 mm per year, falling mostly as snow in winter. However, summer rains can occur; for example, Longyearbyen, Svalbard receives about 200 mm annually, with July as the wettest month at 25–30 mm.
Visiting the tundra requires serious gear. For summer (June–August), pack insulated waterproof boots, thermal layers, a windproof jacket, and a warm hat—even in July, wind chills can drop below 0°C. Insect repellent is essential due to relentless mosquitoes. Winter visits demand expedition-level clothing: heavy down parkas, face masks, and mittens rated for -40°C. The best time for travel is late June to early August, when temperatures are highest, wildlife is active, and many research stations are open. However, accessibility is limited—most tundra areas lack roads and are reached by chartered flights or icebreaker ships. Be prepared for sudden weather shifts and always travel with a guide familiar with polar conditions.
Notable tundra cities include Murmansk, Russia (69°N), the world’s largest city north of the Arctic Circle, with July averages around 12°C—just above the 10°C threshold, placing it on the borderline with subarctic. In contrast, Nuuk, Greenland (64°N) has a July average of 8°C, firmly ET. The archipelago of Svalbard, with Longyearbyen, experiences a milder tundra due to the Gulf Stream, with winter averages around -14°C rather than -30°C. Alpine tundra, such as at the summit of Mount Washington, New Hampshire (1916 m), shows similar patterns but with stronger solar radiation and thinner air. These variations illustrate how latitude and ocean currents modulate the tundra experience, from coastal fog to inland cold deserts.
よくある質問
Where does tundra climate occur?
Tundra climates are found along Arctic coastlines of North America and Eurasia, on high-latitude islands like Greenland and Svalbard, and at high altitudes in mountains such as the Rockies, Andes, and Himalayas. It requires a mean temperature of the warmest month between 0°C and 10°C.
What is the difference between tundra (ET) and ice cap (EF) climates?
The key difference is the warmest month temperature. In tundra (ET), at least one month averages above 0°C, allowing some vegetation and a surface thaw. In ice cap (EF), all months average below 0°C, meaning permanent ice and snow cover with no biological activity.
Is the tundra a good place to visit?
Yes, for adventurous travelers seeking solitude, unique wildlife (caribou, arctic foxes, puffins), and dramatic landscapes. Summer offers 24-hour daylight and moderate temperatures, but facilities are sparse. Winter is extremely harsh and best left to polar expeditions.
Does it rain in the tundra?
Precipitation is low—typically 150–350 mm per year—and falls mostly as snow. However, during the brief summer, rain is common in coastal tundra, with monthly totals of 20–40 mm. Most of the ground remains waterlogged due to permafrost blocking drainage.
What plants and animals live in the tundra?
Vegetation is limited to low-growing plants like mosses, lichens, grasses, and dwarf shrubs. Trees are absent because of cold soils and short growing seasons. Animals include caribou (reindeer), musk oxen, lemmings, arctic hares, snowy owls, and numerous migratory birds in summer.
How cold does it get in the tundra in winter?
Winter temperatures vary by location: coastal tundra averages -15°C to -30°C, while inland areas like Siberia can drop below -40°C. Extreme lows have reached -50°C. Combined with strong winds, wind chill can make it feel even colder.