Final answer:
The statement that the average winter temperature at the North Pole is greater than -42°F is false.
Step-by-step explanation:
The average winter temperature at the North Pole is reported to be -34°C (-29.2°F), which is below -42°F. Therefore, the statement that the average winter temperature at the North Pole is greater than -42°F is false.
During the Arctic tundra summers, even though the region experiences nearly 24 hours of daylight, the temperature often does not rise above the freezing point of water due to the high latitude, which means the sun's rays strike the Earth at a very oblique angle, resulting in less energy being absorbed and temperatures remaining low.
Additionally, the surface is covered in ice and snow, which reflects much of the sunlight, contributing to the cold temperatures.