Great American ozone loss.

Abstract

Stratospheric Ozone![Figure][1] Strong atmospheric convection over the badlands of South Dakota PHOTO: MIKE HOLLINGSHEAD/SCIENCE SOURCE The central United States is a region particularly vulnerable to stratospheric ozone loss in summer, in part because of the severe storms that occur over the Great Plains. Anderson et al. present measurements of the convective penetration of water into the stratosphere over the United States in summer caused by these storms, along with relevant accompanying physical and chemical effects, to better understand the mechanisms of stratospheric ozone loss and to facilitate decadal forecasting in our changing environment. Their findings imply that there exists an increased risk of ozone loss over the Great Plains in summer as the climate warms. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 10.1073/pnas.1619318114 (2017). [1]: pending:yes