Potential for disrupted polar vortex in January 2024

Potential for disrupted polar vortex in January 2024

Current forecasts indicate a strong Stratospheric Warming event in January 2024, potentially leading to a weakened Polar Vortex and a significant weather pattern shift across the United States and Europe.

Arctic’s 40-year record low temperatures spawn rare clouds

Arctic’s 40-year record low temperatures spawn rare clouds

NASA’s MERRA-2 climate model reveals that the Arctic stratosphere has reached a 40-year record low for December, creating a sudden appearance of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) far beyond their usual Arctic confines.

Global SAR arc outbreak: Geomagnetic storm leads to rare SAR arc sightings across the globe

Global SAR arc outbreak: Geomagnetic storm leads to rare SAR arc sightings across the globe

On November 5, 2023, observers across the globe were treated to a striking light show, courtesy of a G3 – Strong geomagnetic storm. This solar event was powerful enough to push the typically high-latitude auroras into lower latitudes, with sightings as far south as Texas and Arizona in the United States, as well as in European countries like Italy and Greece. Sightings were also reported in Australia and New Zealand.

Ozone hole over Antarctica soars to one of its largest sizes on record, Hunga Tonga eruption possible cause

Ozone hole over Antarctica soars to one of its largest sizes on record, Hunga Tonga eruption possible cause

On September 16, 2023, a significantly large ozone hole stretched over Antarctica, covering an area of 26 million km3 (10.04 million mi3), prompting a deeper look into the possible causes. The fluctuating size of the ozone hole is a yearly phenomenon, with a notable increase from August to October, and a decrease as temperatures in the southern hemisphere’s stratosphere rise towards the year’s end.

Transatlantic smoke: Europe experiences significant impact of Canadian wildfires

Transatlantic smoke: Europe experiences significant impact of Canadian wildfires

Europe has experienced significant smoke transport from the intense wildfires that have been raging in Canada since May. The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) has been closely monitoring the situation, tracking active fire locations, fire radiative power, emissions, and forecasting the impacts of the resulting smoke on the atmosphere.