Changes in Vertical Distribution and Column Content of NO2 under the Influence of Sudden Stratospheric Warmings

Abstract

Characteristic features of changes in the vertical distribution and column content of NO₂, total ozone, and stratospheric temperature have been revealed as a result of major sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs). Strong negative anomalies of column NO₂, total ozone and stratospheric temperature are caused by the displacement of the stratospheric circumpolar vortex aside from the pole. Strong positive anomalies of column NO₂ and total ozone are observed more frequently under SSWs accompanied by splitting of the stratospheric circumpolar vortex and are caused by the transport of stratospheric air from the low latitudes. Major SSWs can lead to significant changes in the vertical profile of NO₂. The changes in different stratospheric layers can be opposite to each other when the edge of the polar vortex is over a site of ground-based observations.