• Stratospheric temperature rise signals weakened polar vortex and Arctic air outbreaks in the northern hemisphere

    ByTW

    The polar vortex, a large area of low pressure in the upper atmosphere that typically sits over the poles, is set to weaken as a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event unfolds in the northern hemisphere. This event has the potential to have a significant impact on winter weather, as it allows cold Arctic air to escape and cause outbreaks in Europe, Asia, Canada, and the United States.

  • Gemini Observatory records volcanic gravity waves over Hawai’i, U.S.

    ByTW

    Hours after the massive eruption at Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai1 volcano on January 15, 2022, cameras at the Gemini Observatory on Mauna Kea, Hawai'i, U.S. recorded red waves rippling over Hawai'i. "These are gravity waves, a type of atmospheric…

  • Elevated levels of sulfur dioxide across the SW Pacific and Australia

    ByTW

    Elevated levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2) are present across the SW Pacific and Australia after the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano on January 15, 2022. Since the eruption, the volcano has been releasing huge amounts of sulfur dioxide and…

  • Very rare Polar Stratospheric Clouds Type II appear over Scandinavia

    ByTW

    Northern regions of Scandinavia were treated to a very rare high-altitude spectacle on January 17, 2022, photographer Adrien Mauduit reports. For about 2 hours, rare polar stratospheric clouds (PSC) type II appeared out of nowhere, displaying a staggering…