NOAA Arctic Report Card 2025 : Precipitation Precipitation

Annual precipitation over the Arctic region, taken here as poleward of 60° N, is characterized by high totals over the Atlantic sector due to open water and the frequent passage of storm systems, locally exceeding 2000 mm, and generally dry conditions elsewhere. Polar desert, with annual precipitation of 250 mm or less, characterizes much of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and central Arctic Ocean, reflecting cold conditions and distance from moisture sources. However, within these patterns, there is strong seasonality and local to regional variability related largely to the passage of storms and forced uplift of air masses by orography (orographic precipitation). Convective precipitation (thunderstorms), caused by strong surface heating, is found over land areas in summer. However, convective precipitation also occurs over the ice-free ocean in some circumstances.