Abstract
A reanalysis dataset produced by the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring
service (CAMS reanalysis, 2003 - present day) augmented by ERA5 data for
the years before 2003 is used to describe the evolution of the 2020
Arctic ozone season and to compare it with years back to 1979. Ozone
columns over large parts of the Arctic reached record low values in
March and April 2020 because of an exceptionally cold and persistent
Arctic polar vortex. Minimum ozone columns were below 250 DU for most of
March and the first half of April, with the lowest values of 211 DU in
the CAMS reanalysis found on 18 March. Such low values are extremely
unusual for the Arctic. The previous years with similarly strong Arctic
ozone depletion were 2011 and 1997 with minimum values of 232 DU and 217
DU, respectively. The performance of the CAMS ozone analysis is assessed
by comparison with ozone sonde data. We find a clear sign of chemical
ozone destruction with ozone severely depleted in a layer between 80-50
hPa in late March and early April when partial pressure values below 2
mPa were observed. Profiles from the limb sounders ACE-FTS and MLS show
clear signs of chlorine activation and the presence of polar
stratospheric clouds. Monthly mean ozone columns in March 2020 were up
to 180 DU or 40% lower than the CAMS climatology (2003-2019) while
values for 2011 and 1997 were lower by 31% and 35% respectively.