Stratospheric ozone loss-induced cloud effects lead to less surface ultraviolet radiation over the Siberian Arctic in spring

Surface ultraviolet (UV) radiation has important effects on human health, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and air pollution. Both stratospheric ozone and clouds are key factors that influence surface UV radiation. Here we find that Arctic ozone loss may lead to a decrease in surface UV radiation over the Siberian Arctic in spring using ERA5 reanalysis. It is found that Arctic ozone loss is associated with an increase in high clouds by modifying static stability in the upper troposphere. Stratospheric ozone loss allows more UV radiation to reach the surface. On the contrary, the increase in high clouds results in a reduction of surface UV radiation. Interestingly, a composite analysis suggests that this cloud masking effect is found to be stronger than that from stratospheric ozone loss over the Siberian Arctic in spring. These results suggest that we should pay more attention to the high-ozone events which would lead to more surface UV radiation by the cloud effects.

Automated summary

Arctic ozone loss may lead to a decrease in surface UV radiation over the Siberian Arctic in spring, while an increase in high clouds allows more UV radiation to reach the surface. The masking effect of high clouds is found to be stronger than that of stratospheric ozone loss over the Siberian Arctic in spring.