The Scientific Advantages of an Antarctic Expedition. 425 



majority of the winds are from the south and south-east, and bring 

 clear weather with fall of temperature, while northerly winds bring 

 thick fogs with rise of temperature. 



All our knowledge of the meteorological conditions of the Ant- 

 arctic is limited to a few observations during the midsummer 

 months, and these indicate that the temperature of the snow- 

 covered Antarctic continent is even at that time much lower than 

 that of the surrounding sea. The anticyclonic area at the South 

 Pole appears therefore to be permanent, and when in winter the sea- 

 ice is for the most part continuous and extends far to the north, the 

 anticyclonic area has most probably a much wider extension than in 

 summer. This is indicated by the south-easterly winds which at 

 times blow towards the southern point of the American continent in 

 June and July. 



All observations in high southern latitudes indicate an extremely 

 low summer temperature. In winter we have no direct observations. 

 The mean of Ross's air temperatures south of latitude 63° S. was 

 28*74° F., which is about the freezing point of sea-water, and his 

 maximum temperature was 43'5° F. Both Wilkes and D'Urville 

 observed pools of fresh water on several icebergs, and, when sailing 

 along the ice barrier, Ross saw "gigantic icicles depending from 

 every projecting point of its perpendicular cliffs,"* so it is probable 

 that extensive melting sometimes takes place. 



In the latitude of the Antarctic circle the air is frequently at or 

 near the point of saturation, and precipitation takes place in the 

 form of rain, sleet, snow, or hail. Most of the observations near the 

 ice-covered land show, however, a much drier atmosphere, and in all 

 probability precipitation over the Antarctic continent takes place in 

 the form of fine snow crystals, such as is recorded in the interior of 

 Greenland. 



There would appear, then, to be good reasons for believing that the 

 region of the South Pole is covered by what may be regarded prac- 

 tically as a great permanent anticyclone, with a much wider exten- 

 sion in winter than in summer. It is most likely that the prevailing 

 winds blow out from the pole all the year round towards the sur- 

 rounding sea, as in the case of Greenland, but, unlike Greenland, this 

 area is probably seldom traversed by cyclonic disturbances. 



Bat what has been stated only shows how little real knowledge we 

 possess concerning the atmospheric conditions of high southern 

 latitudss. It is certain, however, that even two years' systematic 

 observations within these regions would be of the utmost value for 

 the future of meteorological science. 



* Boss, f Antarctic Yoyage/ vol. 1, p. 237. 



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