Global Warming

Is the Antarctic Ozone Hole Causing Warming?

A satellite view of the status of the ozone layer over the Antarctic pole on Aug. 5:

The hole in the planet's ozone layer may be shifting wind patterns and cloud cover over Antarctica in a way that could be triggering slightly warmer global temperatures, a new study finds.

Using computer models, researchers examined how the ozone hole may be altering winds in the jet stream over the Antarctic region, pushing clouds closer to the South Pole. These changes in cloud cover could affect how much of the sun's radiation is reflected by the clouds, leading to a slightly warmer planet, the scientists said.

As the clouds migrate toward the South Pole, the amount of energy they can reflect is reduced, which means more radiation can reach the ground.

How much the ozone hole may be warming the planet is unknown, but the scientists estimate an increase of less than 0.09 watts per square foot (1 watt per square meter) of energy could be reaching the ground. This type of warming is still a much smaller effect than the global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions.

The study's findings may help climatologists develop more accurate predictions of future climate conditions in the Southern Hemisphere.