Why is the Tundra considered Earth's coldest and driest biome despite being covered in snow?
The Arctic tundra is so dry that it receives less annual precipitation than the Sahara Desert.
The Arctic tundra is actually a cold desert. It receives less than 25 centimeters of precipitation per year, mostly as snow. During the brief summer thaw, a frozen soil layer called permafrost blocks water from draining away. This traps meltwater on the surface, creating the marshes and bogs that characterize the landscape despite the minimal rainfall.
Nerd Mode
The Arctic tundra qualifies as a polar desert due to its remarkably low annual precipitation. While the Sahara's driest regions receive 0 to 10 centimeters of rain annually, large sections of the Arctic tundra average only 15 to 25 centimeters. The extremely cold Arctic air cannot hold much water vapor, which limits snowfall and rainfall.According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), low moisture is a defining characteristic of the high Arctic. Yet the ground often appears wet during summer months—a paradox explained by permafrost, a soil layer that remains frozen year-round. This frozen barrier prevents meltwater from seeping into the ground, trapping it on the surface to form shallow lakes and wetlands.Vegetation has adapted to these harsh, arid conditions through specialized survival strategies. Mosses and lichens grow close to the ground to minimize water loss from wind exposure. These organisms complete their entire life cycles during a remarkably short growing season lasting only 50 to 60 days. This unique combination of extreme dryness and surface moisture makes the tundra one of Earth's most fragile ecosystems.
Verified Fact
FP-0003678 · Feb 18, 2026