The dependence of surface climate on elevation changes is evaluated for Greenland and Antarctica in an atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) sensitivity study. The results indicate a rather low temperature sensitivity of ≈-5 K km-1 near the coasts, which is weaker than the values often used in parameterizations in climate models. In the plateau areas, the sensitivity is stronger (-10 K km-1). Relative precipitation change is relatively strong (≈-10%/100 m) on the plateaus, while near the coasts, precipitation strengthens when the surface elevation is increased. ¿ 1999 American Geophysical Union