periglacial climate

periglacial climate

[¦per·ə′glā·shəl ′klī·mət] (climatology) The climate which is characteristic of the regions immediately bordering the outer perimeter of an ice cap or continental glacier; the principal climatic feature is the high frequency of very cold and dry winds off the ice area; it is also thought that these regions offer ideal conditions for the maintenance of a belt of intense cyclonic activity.