Characterisation of total ozone fields over southern hemisphere

CANZIANI, PABLO O.; COMPAGNUCCI, ROSA H.; ARANEO, DIEGO C.

Mar del Plata, Argentina

Congreso; Stratospheric Processes And their Role y Climate, SPARC 2000 – 2nd SPARC General Assembly; 2000

World Climate Research Programme, SPARC

The combined TOMS total ozone record covers now a sufficient period of time that advanced climatology studies can be carried out. Observation of the TOMS daily or monthly total ozone fields shows that basic field patterns are more frequent than others. Furthermore the distribution of these patterns has changed over the years, in particular due to the evolution of the ozone ‘hole’ and its sequels after the break-up of the polar vortex. Using PCA analysis techniques, the monthly mean total ozone fields are characterised in order to understand in a systematic fashion its spatial variability and trends. The behaviour and changes in ozone field are discussed under the light of these results. Comparisons with similar analysis of other variables will be carried out.