The Antarctic ozone hole during 2018 and 2019

While the Montreal Protocol is reducing stratospheric ozone loss, recent increases in some ozone depleting substance (ODS) emissions have been identified that may impact southern hemisphere climate systems. In this study, we discuss characteristics of the 2018 and 2019 Antarctic ozone holes using surface in situ, satellite and reanalysis data to gain a better understanding of recent ozone variability. These ozone holes had strongly contrasting characteristics. In 2018, the Antarctic stratospheric vortex was relatively stable and cold in comparison to most years of the prior decade. This resulted in a large and persistent ozone hole that ranked in the upper-tercile of metrics quantifying Antarctic ozone depletion. In contrast, strong stratospheric warming in the spring of 2019 curtailed the development of the ozone hole, causing it to be anomalously small and of similar size to ozone holes in the 1980s. As known from previous studies, the ability of planetary waves to propagate into the stratosphere at high latitudes is an important factor that influences temperatures of the polar vortex and the overall amount of ozone loss in any particular year. Disturbance and warming of the vortex by strong planetary wave activity were the dominant factors in the small 2019 ozone hole. In contrast, planetary wave disturbances to the vortex in the winter-spring of 2018 were much weaker than in 2019. These results increase our understanding of the impact of Montreal Protocol controls on ODS and the effects of Antarctic ozone on the southern hemisphere climate system.

Automated summary

Analyzing data from the Antarctic ozone holes in 2018 and 2019, this study found significant differences in characteristics between the two years. The ozone hole in 2018 was large and persistent, while the one in 2019 was anomalously small due to stratospheric warming. These results enhance our understanding of the impact of the Montreal Protocol controls on ozone depleting substances and the effects of Antarctic ozone on the southern hemisphere climate system.