Climate of Jan Mayen

Despite its Arctic location, Jan Mayen experiences relatively mild seasonal temperature variations, with summer temperatures peaking around 6°C (43°F) in August and winter lows reaching approximately -4°C (25°F) in March.

Jan Mayen has a hyperoceanic polar climate, influenced heavily by the nearby Gulf Stream. The island’s most notable climate feature is its consistent cloud cover, which results in very little sunshine, even during the polar day when the sun remains above the horizon. 

The island’s deep snow cover prevents the development of permafrost, making the terrain unique compared to other polar regions. This consistent snow, combined with the polar climate, makes Jan Mayen an intriguing place for meteorological study, with the staff at the station regularly releasing radiosondes and conducting weather observations.