Role of temperature history in polar stratospheric cloud sightings

Abstract

[1] In this paper, aerosol data from the Polar Ozone and Aerosol Measurement (POAM) satellites between 1994 and 1998 are used to explore the existence of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) in the Antarctic winter stratosphere. Multiwavelength aerosol extinction data are combined to yield aerosol volume density which is compared with that generated from theoretical equilibrium models for nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) particles and supercooled ternary solution (STS) droplets at 30 mb. As winter progresses, PSC volume falls, a strong indication of stratospheric denitrification or dehydration. Six-day isentropic back trajectories are generated from each of the POAM observation locations and are used to examine the recent temperature history of the aerosols. Statistical studies are carried out using multiple regression to determine whether temperature history plays a role in NAT cloud formation. We are unable to identify any factors which unquestionably affect the formation of PSCs at and just below the NAT condensation temperature, although the probability of PSC occurrence at this temperature is higher in air that had previously been colder. There is no significant evidence found for preferential cloud occurrence based upon the length of time that the aerosols were below the NAT condensation point. We conclude from this study that factors, other than temperature and temperature history, are partially responsible for the formation of NAT PSCs.