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Stratospheric water vapor increases over the past half‐century
Author(s) -
Rosenlof K. H.,
Oltmans S. J.,
Kley D.,
Russell J. M.,
Chiou E.W.,
Chu W. P.,
Johnson D. G.,
Kelly K. K.,
Michelsen H. A.,
Nedoluha G. E.,
Remsberg E. E.,
Toon G. C.,
McCormick M. P.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2000gl012502
Subject(s) - stratosphere , water vapor , environmental science , atmospheric sciences , climatology , term (time) , climate change , meteorology , geology , geography , physics , oceanography , quantum mechanics
Ten data sets covering the period 1954–2000 are analyzed to show a 1%/yr increase in stratospheric water vapor. The trend has persisted for at least 45 years, hence is unlikely the result of a single event, but rather indicative of long‐term climate change. A long‐term change in the transport of water vapor into the stratosphere is the most probable cause.