Articles | Volume 26, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-77-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-77-2026
Research article
 | 
05 Jan 2026
Research article |  | 05 Jan 2026

The impact of the stratospheric quasi-biennial oscillation on Arctic polar stratospheric cloud occurrence

Douwang Li, Zhe Wang, Siyi Zhao, Jiankai Zhang, Wuhu Feng, and Martyn P. Chipperfield

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Cited articles

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We find that wind variations at the equator (QBO) modulate the occurrence of Arctic polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs), which are key contributors to ozone depletion. During westerly QBO, the PSC occurrence is significantly greater than during easterly QBO. The QBO affects PSC mainly through temperature, while H2O and HNO3 have less effect. This suggests that future climate change may affect ozone recovery if it alters the QBO pattern. This study provides a new perspective on ozone prediction.
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