Kate Upton is a sexy snow bunny for the cover of Sports Illustrated's annual Swimsuit Issue. The highly coveted spot is the second for the Florida model- she appeared on the cover of the annual edition last year.

The magazine shared the news on Twitter: "POLAR BARE: @KateUpton in Antarctica is your 2013 SI Swimsuit Cover Model!"

Upton, 20, is topless for the cover with white bikini bottoms and thanks to some clever styling, she adorns a white fur-trimmed hooded parka to cover her curvy bust. The cover image and the rest of her bikini fashion photos were taken in Antarctica. The photos were reportedly shot in December and the SI cover marked the 50th Anniversary of the magazine's popular Swimsuit edition. 

View 28 photos of Kate Upton wearing bikinis taken in Antarctica here

Upton unveiled the steamy photo of herself in the Times Square area of New York City on Monday, Feb. 12. The image graces a billboard atop the Ed Sullivan Theater. Upton posed under the giant photo as part of a promotional appearance she had later with the other SI models on "The Late Show with David Letterman" which was taped at the theater.

Sports Illustrated published an excerpt from her cover story interview, titled "Kate Upton Goes Polar."

"It was definitely the hardest shoot I've ever done," Upton told Sports Illustrated. "The best as well - Antarctica is one of the most beautiful place I've ever been to. But I'm from Florida, so it was pretty painful. It was difficult First of all, it's cold, even though we were there in summer. The wind chill was sub-zero - the elements are really working against you."

Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue features 17 models captured in seven continents around the world including Africa and Asia.

Watch the behind-the-scenes video below of Kate Upton in Antarctica for Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue 

Tags: Kate Upton sports illustrated swimsuit issue