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What is the climate like in the Falkland Islands?
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The Falkland Islands experience a cool, windy climate characterized by minimal temperature extremes and little seasonal variation.1
Key climatic features include:
- Temperature: The mean annual temperature is approximately 42 °F (5 °C), with average highs of 49 °F (9 °C) and average lows of 37 °F (3 °C).1
- Wind: The islands are consistently windy, with west winds averaging 19 miles (31 km) per hour.1
- Precipitation: Annual precipitation averages 25 inches (635 mm).1
- Environmental Impact: The chilly, damp conditions prevent the full decomposition of plant matter, which facilitates the buildup of deep peat deposits.1
The surrounding marine environment is influenced by the Falkland Current, a cold branch of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current that flows northward through the South Atlantic.2