Significant Contribution of Severe Ozone Loss to the Siberian-Arctic Surface Warming in Spring 2020

Severe ozone loss and significant surface warming anomalies in the Siberian Arctic were observed in spring 2020. Here, we show that the anomalous surface warming was likely related to the ozone loss. The dramatic Arctic ozone loss in March was shifted to Siberia in April and May, which largely cools the lower stratosphere and leads to an increase of high clouds by modifying the static stability in the upper troposphere. This further results in an increase of longwave radiation at surface which likely contributes to surface warming. Multiple linear regression demonstrates that ozone loss contributes most of the surface warming in April, while the Arctic Oscillation and ice-albedo feedback play a minor role. In May, both ozone loss and ice-albedo feedback contribute to the surface warming. These results support that surface warming in the Siberian Arctic could occur in April and May when severe ozone loss occurs in March.

Automated summary

Severe ozone loss and significant surface warming anomalies were observed in the Siberian Arctic in spring 2020. The study suggests that the anomalous surface warming may be related to the ozone loss, as the dispersion of ozone loss in April and May led to an increase in longwave radiation at the surface, contributing to surface warming. Multiple linear regression analysis indicates that ozone loss plays a significant role in surface warming in April, with Arctic Oscillation and ice-albedo feedback playing minor roles, while both ozone loss and ice-albedo feedback contribute to surface warming in May.