Vertical structure of the Antarctic polar vortex during sudden stratospheric warmings in 1988, 2002 and 2019 according to satellite observations

Using the MERRA-2 satellite data and ERA5 reanalysis data, we examined the vertical structure of the Antarctic polar vortex during the sudden stratospheric warming events (SSWs) of 1988, 2002 and 2019. The significant displacements of the polar vortex were observed in 1988 and 2019, and the vortex splitting occurred in 2002. Differences in the vertical dynamics of the Antarctic polar vortex during SSWs recorded due to displacement (1988 and 2019) or vortex splitting (2002) are shown. The weakening, displacement and subsequent breakdown of the polar vortex in 1988 and 2019 was observed first in the upper stratosphere, and then gradually spread into the middle and lower stratosphere within a month. Thus, the SSW in the lower stratosphere was preceded by a significant displacement of the polar vortex in the upper stratosphere a month before the event. While in 2002, before the split, the polar vortex was strong and stable at all stratospheric levels, the split was observed simultaneously in the middle and upper stratosphere, after which the vortex collapsed in the upper stratosphere, and existed for another month in the lower and middle stratosphere. In all cases, a decrease in wind speed along the vortex edge, an increase in temperature inside the vortex, melting of particles of polar stratospheric clouds and a decrease in ozone hole area were observed starting in late August. The earlier recovery of ozone hole occurred on 30 October 1988, 9 November 2002 and 6 November 2019, respectively.