Polar Stratospheric Cloud Observations From the OMPS Limb Profiler

Abstract The frequency and spatial distribution of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) has a strong influence on the magnitude of springtime ozone depletion in polar regions. We use Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) Limb Profiler (LP) satellite measurements to identify PSCs and characterize their distribution. Concurrent water vapor and nitric acid profiles from Aura Microwave Limb Sounder measurements are used to determine the approximate temperature threshold for PSC formation. Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite LP daytime measurements have limited coverage of the polar vortex region during winter months, with increasing coverage as spring equinox approaches. Suomi National Polar‐orbiting Partnership (NPP) OMPS LP observations since 2012 show a relatively consistent seasonal pattern of PSC formation and evolution in the Southern Hemisphere (SH), but significantly more variability during each season and between seasons in the Northern Hemisphere (NH). Comparisons of OMPS LP PSC detections with concurrent Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) observations show good agreement in spatial distribution and seasonal evolution when the CALIOP latitude coverage is screened to the range viewed by OMPS LP daytime measurements. Limb Profiler measurements from current and future Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) satellites will enable us to follow long‐term changes in PSC behavior, such as possible effects of the increased stratospheric water vapor from the Hunga Tonga‐Hunga Ha'apai eruption.