Why is winter and summer temperature difference in Vostok Station so much less than Oymyakon? (climate, hottest)

[atsizat]

Why is winter and summer temperature difference in Vostok Station so much less than Oymyakon?

The Coldest Month:
Average low temperature in August in Vostok Station: -71.5°C
Average low temperature in January in Oymyakon: -50°C

The Hottest Month:
Average high temperature in January in Vostok Station: -27°C
Average high temperature in July in Oymyakon: +22.7°C

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vostok_Station
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oymyakon

[Ethereal]

Maybe because Vostok Station is right near the pole and is 78'S, whilst Oymyakon is at 63'N. That should be a start.

Also, Oymyakon is situated in a large continent which can easily heat up. There is no ocean that blocks out cool air from the south. Vostok Station, on the other hand, is an island continent. It is not "connected" to any warm landmasses, and is surrounded by a cold ocean, blocking out warmth.

[deneb78]

Originally Posted by atsizat

Why is winter and summer temperature difference in Vostok Station so much less than Oymyakon?

The Coldest Month:
Average low temperature in August in Vostok Station: -71.5°C
Average low temperature in January in Oymyakon: -50°C

The Hottest Month:
Average high temperature in January in Vostok Station: -27°C
Average high temperature in July in Oymyakon: +22.7°C

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vostok_Station
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oymyakon

My guess is because Oymyakon has a connection to warm lands to the south which bring up the warm air whereas Vostok has no such connection as Antarctica is surrounded by very cold Antarctic Circumpolar current.

[lommaren]

I think it's to do with Vostok's elevation (around 3000 m right?).

In extremely cold climates there's a temperature inversion in lowland areas that causes them to be even colder than they "should" be compared to higher areas, in effect the higher areas of Siberia have milder winters and colder summers than the places where people live if I've understood correctly. I think this is at play here.

[atsizat]

Originally Posted by lommaren

I think it's to do with Vostok's elevation (around 3000 m right?).

In extremely cold climates there's a temperature inversion in lowland areas that causes them to be even colder than they "should" be compared to higher areas, in effect the higher areas of Siberia have milder winters and colder summers than the places where people live if I've understood correctly. I think this is at play here.

I don't think it's about elevation. Summer and Winter temperature difference can be too much in terrestrial climate.

[alex985]

I think the reason was already stated above: Antarctica is surrounded by cold ocean as opposed to a massive landmass to the south which can usher in warm/hot temperatures even to higher latitudes. Plus all it has is extremely cold, continental air mass to the south and is located at a high altitude at 78 S.



It really has all the perfect ingredients for an extreme cold climate.