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Winter mesospheric temperatures above South Pole (90°S) and their relationship to the springtime ozone hole size
Author(s) -
Hernandez G.
Publication year - 2004
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 - 10.1029/2004gl019414
Subject(s) - polar vortex , mesosphere , ozone , atmospheric sciences , environmental science , stratosphere , ozone depletion , atmosphere (unit) , climatology , polar , atmospheric temperature , satellite , ozone layer , physics , meteorology , geology , astronomy
Mesospheric kinetic temperatures measured above South Pole Station (90°S) during the austral polar winter show significant changes, which have been found to be associated with changes in the size of the polar stratospheric clouds temperature area (PSC‐1), vortex area, and ozone hole area later in the austral spring. Linear regression fits show a statistically significant correlation −95% confidence level‐ between the mesospheric temperature and the stratospheric dynamic variables. These results show the sensitivity of the mesosphere to changes in the atmosphere below. Thus, the mesospheric temperatures measured above South Pole provide a quantitative indication of the dynamic scenario upon which the ozone hole chemistry will be played later in the spring. That is, these mesospheric temperatures can be used as a forecasting tool with which some of the stratospheric dynamical variables affecting the area of the ozone hole can be estimated with statistical confidence.