The Ozone Hole 2024

Antarctic Situation at 2024 November 4   British Antarctic Survey Ozone Bulletin

Antarctic ozone today:  The 2024 ozone hole began to appear in late August and grew rapidly to reach a peak of 22  million square kilometres (msqkm) in late September, a little larger than the average over the last decade, but smaller than the previous two years. It shrank during the first ten days of October, but then remained at around 16 msqkm until late in the month. It has now shrunk to 11 msqkm. The 2024 polar vortex began to form in late April, a little earlier than usual. It grew steadily and reached a maximum of around 31 msqkm in early September. It currently has an area of around 25 msqkm, close to the usual area. Within the vortex the ozone layer temperature is now above the -78°C Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSC) formation threshold throughout the ozone layer and is rising. The temperature of the ozone layer is warmest over the Southern Ocean and declines towards the equator and the remaining centre of the vortex. The area with potential PSCs began to grow from mid May and reached 24 msqkm in late July.  Some warming events then took place around the time when the area is usually at its peak, reducing it to 20 msqkm. It grew again to reach 23 msqkm in mid August, but had disappeared by the end of October. Ozone values are much lower over the continent and higher over the southern ocean. They currently range from a low of around 160 Dobson Units (DU) to a high of around 410 DU. The lowest ozone value reported by NASA is 107 DU on October 5. The ozone hole became more elongated over the first few days of October and the edge clipped the tip of South America, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. It did so again between October 11 and 13. The ozone hole/vortex has again become very elongated, but is expected to return to more circular symmetry over the coming ten days.

NASA Ozone Watch: Latest status of ozone

Antarctic Situation at 2024 September 30   British Antarctic Survey Ozone Bulletin

Antarctic ozone today:  The 2024 ozone hole began to appear in late August and has grown rapidly. It now covers 21  million square kilometres (msqkm), close to the average over the last decade. It is near its maximum size and depth for the year. The 2024 polar vortex began to form in late April, a little earlier than usual. It grew steadily and reached a maximum of around 31 msqkm in early September. It currently has an area of around 30 msqkm, a little smaller than the usual area. Within the vortex the ozone layer temperature is well below the -78°C Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSC) formation threshold. The temperature has passed the annual minimum, and is rising at the top of the ozone layer. The temperature of the ozone layer is warmest over the Southern Ocean and declines towards the equator and pole. The area with potential PSCs began to grow from mid May and reached 24 msqkm in late July.  Some warming events then took place around the time when the area is usually at its peak, reducing it to 20 msqkm. It grew again to reach 23 msqkm in mid August, but is now declining and has reached 15 msqkm, a little larger than usual for the time of year. Overall the system has now become more stable. Ozone values are much lower over the continent and higher over the southern ocean. They currently range from a low of around 120 Dobson Units (DU) to a high of around 430 DU. The ozone hole is expected to become more elongated over the next few days and the edge will clip the tip of South America, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia over the first few days of October.

Antarctic Situation at 2024 September 16  British Antarctic Survey Ozone Bulletin

Antarctic ozone today:  The 2024 ozone hole began to appear in late August and has grown rapidly. It now covers 16  million square kilometres (msqkm). The temperature of the ozone layer over Antarctica is near the annual minimum, with air descending over the south pole. The temperature of the ozone layer is warmest over the Southern Ocean and declines towards the equator and pole. The 2024 polar vortex began to form in late April, a little earlier than usual. It has grown and currently has an area of around 31 msqkm, a little smaller than the usual area. Within the vortex the temperature is now well below the -78°C Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSC) formation threshold. The area with potential PSCs began to grow from mid May and reached 24 msqkm in late July.  Some warming events then took place around the time when the area is usually at its peak, reducing it to 20 msqkm. It grew again to reach 23 msqkm in mid August, but is now declining and has reached 17 msqkm, close to usual for the time of year. Overall the system has now become more stable. Ozone values are much lower over the continent and higher over the southern ocean. They currently range from a low of around 160 Dobson Units (DU) to a high of around 430 DU. The ozone hole is expected to grow in area and depth over the coming week.

NASA Ozone Watch: Latest status of ozone

Antarctic Situation at 2024 September 10 British Antarctic Survey Ozone Bulletin

Antarctic ozone today:  The 2024 ozone hole began to appear in late August and has grown rapidly. It now covers 14  million square kilometres (msqkm). The temperature of the ozone layer over Antarctica is near the annual minimum, with air descending over the south pole. The temperature of the ozone layer is warmest over the Southern Ocean and declines towards the equator and pole. The 2024 polar vortex began to form in late April, a little earlier than usual. It has grown and currently has an area of around 31 msqkm, a little smaller than the usual area. Within the vortex the temperature is now well below the -78°C Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSC) formation threshold. The area with potential PSCs began to grow from mid May and reached 24 msqkm in late July.  Some warming events then took place around the time when the area is usually at its peak, reducing it to 20 msqkm. It grew again to reach 23 msqkm in mid August, but is now declining and has reached 20 msqkm, close to usual for the time of year. Overall the system has now become more stable. Ozone values are a little lower over the continent and higher over the southern ocean. They currently range from a low of around 170 Dobson Units (DU) to a high of around 470 DU.

NASA Ozone Watch: Latest status of ozone

Antarctic Situation at 2024 August 28  British Antarctic Survey Ozone Bulletin

Antarctic ozone today:  The 2024 ozone hole began to appear in late August and has grown rapidly. It now covers 4  million square kilometres (msqkm). The temperature of the ozone layer over Antarctica is near the annual minimum, with air descending over the south pole. The temperature of the ozone layer is warmest over the Southern Ocean and declines towards the equator and pole. The 2024 polar vortex began to form in late April, a little earlier than usual. It has grown and currently has an area of around 30 msqkm, close to the usual area. Within the vortex the temperature is now well below the -78°C Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSC) formation threshold. The area with potential PSCs began to grow from mid May and reached 24 msqkm in late July.  Some warming events then took place around the time when the area is usually at its peak. It is currently around 22 msqkm, close to usual for the time of year. Overall the system remains relatively unstable, with significant wave activity. There are signs that this year we may have a split ozone hole, such as appeared in 2002. Ozone values are a little lower over the continent and higher over the southern ocean. They currently range from a low of around 170 Dobson Units (DU) to a high of nearly 500 DU.

Antarctic Situation at 2024 August 5  British Antarctic Survey Ozone Bulletin

Antarctic ozone today:  The temperature of the ozone layer over Antarctica is nearing the annual minimum, with air descending over the south pole. The temperature of the ozone layer is warmest over the Southern Ocean and declines towards the equator and pole. The 2024 polar vortex began to form in late April, a little earlier than usual. It has grown and currently has an area of around 29 million square kilometres (msqkm), close to the usual area. Within the vortex the temperature is now well below the -78°C Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSC) formation threshold. The area with potential PSCs began to grow from mid May and reached 24 msqkm in late July.  Some warming events then took place and it is currently around 23 msqkm, a somewhat smaller than usual for the time of year. Overall the system remains relatively unstable, with significant wave activity. Ozone values are a little lower over the continent and higher over the southern ocean. They currently range from a low of around 240 Dobson Units (DU) to a high of around 430 DU.

Antarctic Situation at 2024 July 22  British Antarctic Survey Ozone Bulletin

Antarctic ozone today:  The temperature of the ozone layer over Antarctica is nearing the annual minimum, with air descending over the south pole. The temperature of the ozone layer is warmest over the Southern Ocean and declines towards the equator and pole. The 2024 polar vortex began to form in late April, a little earlier than usual. It has grown and currently has an area of around 25 million square kilometres (msqkm), close to the usual area. Within the vortex the temperature is now well below the -78°C Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSC) formation threshold. The area with potential PSCs began to grow from mid May and is currently around 23 msqkm, a little lower than usual for the time of year. Overall the system is relatively unstable, with significant wave activity. Ozone values are a little lower over the continent and higher over the southern ocean. They currently range from a low of around 240 Dobson Units (DU) to a high of around 480 DU.

Antarctic Situation at 2024 July 8

Antarctic Situation at 2024 June 24 British Antarctic Survey Ozone Bulletin

Antarctic ozone today:  The temperature of the ozone layer over Antarctica is falling and air is descending over the south pole. The temperature of the ozone layer is warmest over the Southern Ocean and declines towards the equator and pole. The 2024 polar vortex began to form in late April, a little earlier than usual. It has grown and currently has an area of around 17 million square kilometres (msqkm), a little smaller than usual. Within the vortex the temperature is now below the -78°C Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSC) formation threshold. The area with potential PSCs began to grow from mid May and is currently around 17 msqkm. Overall the system is relatively unstable, with significant wave activity. Ozone values are a little lower over the continent and higher over the southern ocean. They currently range from a low of around 260 Dobson Units (DU) to a high of around 390 DU.