Planetary Wave Forcing of Ozone Anomalies During 2024 Antarctic Stratospheric Warming
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Sudden Stratospheric Warmings (SSWs) are rare polar stratospheric extremes far less documented over Antarctica than the Arctic. A pair of successive midwinter Antarctic SSWs occurred in July–August 2024, featuring severe polar vortex distortion and sharp stratospheric temperature rises. Using MERRA-2/ERA5 reanalysis and Aura MLS satellite ozone data, we diagnose wave 1 and wave 2 planetary wave forcing and associated ozone variations. Abnormally strong upward-propagating Southern Hemisphere tropospheric planetary waves drove the 2024 SSW. Wave 1 triggered the first July warming peak, while amplified wave 2 dominated the second intense vortex disruption in early August. These waves delivered westward momentum that weakened the polar night jet and destabilized the vortex. Accelerated Brewer–Dobson circulation (BDC) enhanced poleward ozone transport, raising polar ozone levels and supplying extra stratospheric heat. Wave–ozone coupling shows clear selectivity: wave 1 induces negative total ozone column anomalies across 15°S–50°S midlatitudes, whereas wave 2 generates broad positive ozone signals over 50°S–65°S and primarily controls polar ozone enrichment. Fading planetary wave activity after the warming peaks gradually restored the polar vortex and stratospheric thermal structure. This study provides key observational evidence for rare Antarctic SSWs and advances understanding of stratosphere–troposphere coupling and polar ozone dynamics under global warming.
Source: Remote Sensing
DOI: 10.3390/rs18213741
Language: English
Subfield: Atmospheric Science
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,258
Funder: Heilongjiang University
OpenAlex ID: W7211882913