Global Effects of Disruptions to the Stratospheric Circulation
Major disruptions to the stratospheric circulation have far-reaching effects, including increased likelihood of snowstorms, growth of the ozone hole, and interference in global telecommunications.
Snow in central London. Sudden stratospheric warming events make snow more likely in southern England. Credit: Neiljs, CC BY 2.0
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The stratosphere, the layer of the atmosphere from about 10 to 50 kilometers above Earth’s surface, over the polar regions is normally very cold during winter, with strong westerly winds forming the polar vortex. However, on some occasions, the normally quiet vortex suddenly warms over a week or two, and the winds slow dramatically, resulting in easterly winds that are more similar to the summer climate. These events are known as “sudden stratospheric warmings” (SSWs). A recent article published in