Australian PyroCb Smoke Generates Synoptic‐Scale Stratospheric Anticyclones

Kablick, George P.; Allen, Douglas R.; Fromm, M.; Nedoluha, Gerald E.

doi:10.1029/2020gl088101

Cited by 116 publications

(221 citation statements)

References 24 publications

(28 reference statements)

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“…While the ref. 28 reveals a number of remarkable similarities with respect to our approach and analysis, they report an average diabatic ascent rate of 8 K day −1 whereas we find 5.9 K day −1 . An important point regarding the vortex dynamics and maintenance, which is not discussed in ref.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

“…The generation of the smoke-charged vortex is reported in another study 28 , of which we were made aware during the review process. They used MLS, OMPS and CALIOP satellite instruments as well as the US Navy Global Environmental Model (NAVGEM) analysis to characterize the evolution of chemical composition and structure of the main vortex until 10th March 2020, that is three weeks before it has reached its apogee and collapsed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An important point regarding the vortex dynamics and maintenance, which is not discussed in ref. 28 , is the need of a mechanism to suppress the negative potential vorticity produced by the isolated heating as discussed hereinbefore.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The 2019/20 Australian wildfires generated a persistent smoke-charged vortex rising up to 35 km altitude

Khaykin

Legras

Bucci

et al. 2020

Commun Earth Environ

198

333

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The Australian bushfires around the turn of the year 2020 generated an unprecedented perturbation of stratospheric composition, dynamical circulation and radiative balance. Here we show from satellite observations that the resulting planetary-scale blocking of solar radiation by the smoke is larger than any previously documented wildfires and of the same order as the radiative forcing produced by moderate volcanic eruptions. A striking effect of the solar heating of an intense smoke patch was the generation of a self-maintained anticyclonic vortex measuring 1000 km in diameter and featuring its own ozone hole. The highly stable vortex persisted in the stratosphere for over 13 weeks, travelled 66,000 km and lifted a confined bubble of smoke and moisture to 35 km altitude. Its evolution was tracked by several satellite-based sensors and was successfully resolved by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts operational system, primarily based on satellite data. Because wildfires are expected to increase in frequency and strength in a changing climate, we suggest that extraordinary events of this type may contribute significantly to the global stratospheric composition in the coming decades.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The 2019/20 Australian wildfires generated a persistent smoke-charged vortex rising up to 35 km altitude

Khaykin

Legras

Bucci

et al. 2020

Commun Earth Environ

198

333

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The fires that occurred in eastern Australia in December 2019 and January in 2020 affected over 10 million hectares and caused unprecedented atmospheric effects throughout the Southern Hemisphere [ 46 – 49 ]. Superheated air from the fires produced large-scale pyrocumulonimbus clouds, forcing smoke into the lower stratosphere, from where it rose to heights up to 35 km [ 49 ].…”

Section: Stratospheric Ozone Uv Radiation and Climate Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental effects of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation, and interactions with climate change: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, Update 2020

Neale

Barnes

Robson

et al. 2021

Photochem Photobiol Sci

118

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This assessment by the Environmental Effects Assessment Panel (EEAP) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) provides the latest scientific update since our most recent comprehensive assessment (Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences, 2019, 18, 595–828). The interactive effects between the stratospheric ozone layer, solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and climate change are presented within the framework of the Montreal Protocol and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We address how these global environmental changes affect the atmosphere and air quality; human health; terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems; biogeochemical cycles; and materials used in outdoor construction, solar energy technologies, and fabrics. In many cases, there is a growing influence from changes in seasonality and extreme events due to climate change. Additionally, we assess the transmission and environmental effects of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, in the context of linkages with solar UV radiation and the Montreal Protocol.

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“…Other stratospheric processes that are not yet well captured by many numerical models, such as interactive ozone chemistry or radiative effects of aerosols, may influence extremes in ways that remain to be determined. For example, increases in extreme wildfires and pyrocumulus clouds could inject aerosols into the stratosphere, where they can persist for months to even years, affecting radiative balance, convection, and circulation 121,122 . Ongoing efforts to quantify and resolve model biases and to incorporate missing processes are expected to improve the prediction of extremes tied to stratospheric processes.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Stratospheric drivers of extreme events at the Earth’s surface

Domeisen

Butler

2020

Commun Earth Environ

114

106

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The stratosphere, the layer of the atmosphere at heights between 10-50 km, is an important source of variability for the weather and climate at the Earth’s surface on timescales of weeks to decades. Since the stratospheric circulation evolves more slowly than that of the troposphere below, it can contribute to predictability at the surface. Our synthesis of studies on the coupling between the stratosphere and the troposphere reveals that the stratosphere also contributes substantially to a wide range of climate-related extreme events. These extreme events include cold air outbreaks and extreme heat, air pollution, wildfires, wind extremes, and storm clusters, as well as changes in tropical cyclones and sea ice cover, and they can have devastating consequences for human health, infrastructure, and ecosystems. A better understanding of the vertical coupling in the atmosphere, along with improved representation in numerical models, is therefore expected to help predict extreme events on timescales from weeks to decades in terms of the event type, magnitude, frequency, location, and timing. With a better understanding of stratosphere-troposphere coupling, it may be possible to link more tropospheric extremes to stratospheric forcing, which will be crucial for emergency planning and management.

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Australian PyroCb Smoke Generates Synoptic‐Scale Stratospheric Anticyclones

Cited by 116 publications

References 24 publications

The 2019/20 Australian wildfires generated a persistent smoke-charged vortex rising up to 35 km altitude

The 2019/20 Australian wildfires generated a persistent smoke-charged vortex rising up to 35 km altitude

Environmental effects of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation, and interactions with climate change: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, Update 2020

Stratospheric drivers of extreme events at the Earth’s surface

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