Climate zones in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, 1991 to 2020
Share of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands's classified land in each Köppen-Geiger zone in 1991 to 2020. Zones under 0.05% are left out. The 7,380 map cells used cover 94% of the country's outline (about 3,666 km²).
By major group: E (polar) 100%.
ET, tundra, is the main climate of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, covering 80% of its classified land in 1991 to 2020, with EF (ice cap (frost)) next at 20%. In plain terms, tundra means too cold for trees; a brief, chilly summer. Under the middle-of-the-road scenario (SSP2-4.5), 9.7% of its land is projected to be in a different zone by 2071 to 2099, with the biggest gain going to ET (tundra).
How South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands's zones have changed and may change
Each row compares a map with 1991 to 2020. "Share in a different zone" is the share of the country's area whose class is different from 1991 to 2020. Future rows are model projections under an emissions scenario, not forecasts.
| Map | Share in a different zone | Different major group | Biggest gain | Biggest loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 to 1930 (past) | 9.4% | 0% | ET +9.4 percentage points | EF -9.4 percentage points |
| 2071 to 2099, SSP1-2.6 (low emissions) | 5.9% | 0% | ET +5.9 percentage points | EF -5.9 percentage points |
| 2071 to 2099, SSP2-4.5 (middle of the road) | 9.7% | 0% | ET +9.7 percentage points | EF -9.7 percentage points |
| 2071 to 2099, SSP5-8.5 (high emissions) | 14% | 0% | ET +13.9 percentage points | EF -13.9 percentage points |
For the past row, the comparison runs the other way: the 1901 to 1930 map against 1991 to 2020.
Zone shares by map
| Zone | 1901 to 1930 | 1991 to 2020 | SSP1-2.6 (2071 to 2099) | SSP2-4.5 (2071 to 2099) | SSP5-8.5 (2071 to 2099) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ET Tundra | 71% | 80% | 86% | 90% | 94% |
| EF Ice cap (frost) | 30% | 20% | 14% | 10% | 6.2% |
Percentages are of the country's classified land in each map. A dash means under 0.05%.
Zones found in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Data: Beck et al. (2023), CC BY 4.0; country outlines from Natural Earth. In 1901 to 1930 the most common zone was ET. See data sources and licences.