Mark Weber

and 9 more

Satellite observations of relevant trace gases, together with meteorological data from ERA5, were used to describe the dynamics and chemistry of the spectacular Arctic 2019/20 winter/spring season. Exceptionally low total ozone values of slightly less than 220 DU were observed in mid March within an unusually large stratospheric polar vortex. This was associated with very low temperatures and extensive polar stratospheric cloud formation, a prerequisite for substantial springtime ozone depletion. Very high OClO and very low NO2 column amounts observed by GOME-2A are indicative of unusually large active chlorine levels and significant denitrification, which likely contributed to large chemical ozone loss. Using results from the TOMCAT chemical transport model (CTM) and ozone observations from S5P/TROPOMI, GOME-2 (total column), SCIAMACHY and OMPS-LP (vertical profiles) chemical ozone loss was evaluated and compared with the previous record Arctic winter 2010/11. The polar-vortex-averaged total column ozone loss in 2019/20 reached 88 DU (23%) and 106~DU (28%) based upon observations and model, respectively, by the end of March, which was similar to that derived for 2010/11. The total column ozone loss is in agreement with OMPS-LP-derived partial column loss between 350 K and 550 K to within the uncertainty. The maximum ozone loss (~80%) observed by OMPS-LP was near the 450 K potential temperature level (~18 km altitude). Because of the larger polar vortex area in March 2020 compared to March 2011 (about 25% at 450 K), ozone mass loss was larger in Arctic winter 2019/20.