The air above Antarctica's vast ice surfaces contains fewer ice nuclei than anywhere else on Earth. Ice nuclei are tiny particles that facilitate ice formation in clouds, affecting weather and climate.
Despite Antarctica's harsh icy environment, its atmosphere is notably deficient in these particles, which plays a critical role in the region's unique climate dynamics.
Ice nuclei influence cloud properties and precipitation. Their scarcity over Antarctica impacts cloud formation and thus the local and global climate system.
The extreme ice desert of Antarctica stands out not just for its ice coverage but for its uniquely low presence of ice nuclei, shaping its distinct atmospheric conditions.