The climate of the region ranges from a subpolar climate in the north to a polar climate in the south.[30] The region has an extremely cold climate with mean temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F) with frost and snowfall occurring throughout the year.[31] In general, there are two different climatic zones found within the region: a glacial climate in the interior and an oceanic one in the Antarctic Peninsula and adjacent islands.[31] The glacial climate found in the interior is dominated by continental ice sheets and glaciers while in the Antarctic Peninsula and its adjacent islands, the climate is characterized by very strong winds, particularly in winter.[31] In particular, the Antarctic Peninsula experiences strong cold winds and blizzards.[32] In the interior of the continent, the climate is colder and drier due to the higher latitude, altitude, and strong continental influences.[32] Mean annual temperatures range from between −10 to −20 °C (14 to −4 °F) in the Antarctic Peninsula to −30 to −50 °C (−22 to −58 °F) in the interior.[32] Temperatures are always low in the region; during the polar night in winter, temperatures drop down to −42 °C (−44 °F).[31] In the warmest month, mean temperatures are usually below 0 °C (32 °F).[31] Coastal areas have mean temperatures in the warmest month at around freezing.[32] Precipitation mainly falls as snow.[31] Due to the ice sheets and glaciers covering most of the region and the severity of the climate, the flora is sparse and limited only to coastal areas.[31]