Roosevelt Island, Antarctica

Island Ice-covered Antarctic island and ice rise feature

An ice-covered island/ice rise in Antarctica used mainly for glaciological research; visited rarely by researchers studying ice cores, climate records and ice-sheet dynamics.

Main image

Roosevelt Island (Antarctica) is an ice-covered feature within the Antarctic region characterised by grounded ice and glaciological interest. It is not a permanently inhabited location.

There are no tourist facilities; visits are undertaken only by scientific expeditions and researchers interested in ice dynamics, climatology and glaciology. The area is notable for deep ice and for sites used in ice-core research.

Exploration and scientific study of Antarctic ice features in the 20th and 21st centuries have identified Roosevelt Island as a location for glaciological work; specific research projects have included ice-core drilling campaigns.

Roosevelt Island lies within the Antarctic region at high southern latitude and is surrounded by the Antarctic ice environment rather than open ocean or permanently exposed land.

  • Scientific research: The site is uninhabited and largely covered by ice; it has been of interest to scientific teams conducting ice-core drilling and climate studies.
Roosevelt Island, Antarctica
-79.2833, -162.0000

Tips for Visiting Roosevelt Island, Antarctica #

  • Roosevelt Island (Antarctica) is extremely remote and not a regular tourist landing site; visits are restricted to scientific or specially authorized expeditions, so do not expect conventional tourist access or facilities.
  • If you believe you have an official reason to visit, coordinate through a national Antarctic program or licensed operator well in advance-Antarctic travel requires permits, logistics planning, and strict environmental compliance.

Best Time to Visit Roosevelt Island, Antarctica #

If travel is possible at all, the austral summer (November-March) is the only practical time for access, though conditions remain harsh and freezing.

Austral summer (accessible period)
Nov-Mar · Well below 0°C (conditions remain freezing)
This is the only practical window for Antarctic fieldwork and access when sea ice and weather are least severe; travel is still challenging and requires expedition support.
Austral winter
Apr-Oct · Extremely cold, far below 0°C
Generally inaccessible to visitors due to extreme cold, extended darkness and sea-ice conditions.

Weather & Climate near Roosevelt Island, Antarctica #

Climate

Roosevelt Island, Antarctica's climate is classified as Ice Cap - Ice Cap climate with freezing summers (peaking in December) and freezing winters (coldest in August). Temperatures range from -36°C to -4°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
-4°
Warmest Month
-36°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -9°C. The driest month with just 1 mm.

Comfort

-6°
Feels Like Freezing
-6°C
Temperature
-9° -4°

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
5.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is freezing with highs of -10°C and lows of -16°C. Almost no rain.

Comfort

-13°
Feels Like Freezing
-13°C
Temperature
-16° -10°

Weather

7 mm
Rainfall
5.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is freezing with highs of -18°C and lows of -25°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

-21°
Feels Like Freezing
-21°C
Temperature
-25° -18°

Weather

25 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is freezing with highs of -22°C and lows of -30°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm).

Comfort

-26°
Feels Like Freezing
-26°C
Temperature
-30° -22°

Weather

37 mm
Rainfall
5.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is freezing with highs of -24°C and lows of -32°C. The wettest month with 57 mm of rain and breezy conditions.

Comfort

-28°
Feels Like Freezing
-28°C
Temperature
-32° -24°

Weather

57 mm
Rainfall
6.3 m/s
Wind
Breezy

June

June is freezing with highs of -24°C and lows of -31°C. Light rainfall and breezy conditions.

Comfort

-28°
Feels Like Freezing
-28°C
Temperature
-31° -24°

Weather

16 mm
Rainfall
6.2 m/s
Wind
Breezy

July

July is freezing with highs of -26°C and lows of -34°C. Light rainfall and breezy conditions.

Comfort

-30°
Feels Like Freezing
-30°C
Temperature
-34° -26°

Weather

25 mm
Rainfall
6.4 m/s
Wind
Breezy

August

August is the coldest month with highs of -28°C and lows of -36°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

-32°
Feels Like Freezing
-32°C
Temperature
-36° -28°

Weather

42 mm
Rainfall
6.7 m/s
Wind
Breezy

September

September is freezing with highs of -24°C and lows of -32°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

-28°
Feels Like Freezing
-28°C
Temperature
-32° -25°

Weather

31 mm
Rainfall
6.7 m/s
Wind
Breezy

October

October is freezing with highs of -18°C and lows of -25°C. Light rainfall and breezy conditions.

Comfort

-22°
Feels Like Freezing
-22°C
Temperature
-25° -18°

Weather

21 mm
Rainfall
6.6 m/s
Wind
Breezy

November

November is freezing with highs of -9°C and lows of -15°C. Almost no rain and breezy conditions.

Comfort

-12°
Feels Like Freezing
-12°C
Temperature
-15° -9°

Weather

6 mm
Rainfall
6.6 m/s
Wind
Breezy

December

December is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -9°C. Almost no rain.

Comfort

-6°
Feels Like Freezing
-6°C
Temperature
-9° -4°

Weather

4 mm
Rainfall
5.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

Nearby Attractions to Roosevelt Island, Antarctica