 Such areas exist even in the coldest parts of Antarctica, and they are characterized by high mean wind speeds and low precipitation.Once they have formed, the smooth surface prevents snow from accumulating as it is quickly blown away by the wind, and the blue colour increases the absorption of sunlight and thus sublimation; both these phenomena act to maintain the blue-ice area, and wind-driven transport of warm air can cause the blue-ice area to expand downwind.Blue-ice areas are common in mountainous regions.