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Stratospheric effects of energetic particle precipitation in 2003–2004
Author(s) -
Randall C. E.,
Harvey V. L.,
Manney G. L.,
Orsolini Y.,
Codrescu M.,
Sioris C.,
Brohede S.,
Haley C. S.,
Gordley L. L.,
Zawodny J. M.,
Russell J. M.
Publication year - 2005
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 - 10.1029/2004gl022003
Subject(s) - northern hemisphere , stratosphere , atmospheric sciences , precipitation , polar vortex , environmental science , context (archaeology) , atmosphere (unit) , latitude , climatology , storm , high latitude , meteorology , geology , physics , paleontology , geodesy
Upper stratospheric enhancements in NO x (NO and NO 2 ) were observed at high northern latitudes from March through at least July of 2004. Multi‐satellite data analysis is used to examine the temporal evolution of the enhancements, to place them in historical context, and to investigate their origin. The enhancements were a factor of 4 higher than nominal at some locations, and are unprecedented in the northern hemisphere since at least 1985. They were accompanied by reductions in O 3 of more than 60% in some cases. The analysis suggests that energetic particle precipitation led to substantial NO x production in the upper atmosphere beginning with the remarkable solar storms in late October 2003 and possibly persisting through January. Downward transport of the excess NO x , facilitated by unique meteorological conditions in 2004 that led to an unusually strong upper stratospheric vortex from late January through March, caused the enhancements.