What is "space weather"? And how might it affect weather on Earth? Researchers have discovered a formerly undetected impact of space weather on the polar atmosphere, which may explain some previously unexplained variations in winter weather patterns. Their results, published today (Tuesday 14 October), in the journal Nature Communications could have important implications for seasonal weather forecasting.
What is "space weather"? And how might it affect weather on Earth?
Researchers have discovered a formerly undetected impact of space weather on the polar atmosphere, which may explain some previously unexplained variations in winter weather patterns. Their results, published today (Tuesday 14 October), in the journal Nature Communications could have important implications for seasonal weather forecasting.
The international team from the Finnish Meteorological Institute, Otago University and British Antarctic Survey (BAS) studied data from three different satellites over an 11 year period. They found that energetic electrons (highly charged particles created by the sun) from the outer radiation belt hitting the Earth’s atmosphere cause ozone loss high above the Earth.
Vast quantities of energetic electrons are found in the Earth's radiation belts, trapped there by the Earth's magnetic field. During magnetic storms, which are driven by the solar wind, the electrons accelerate to high speeds and 'rain' into the atmosphere at the poles. The temporary, but frequent, ozone loss occurring as a result of these 'rains' may explain changes in wind patterns which affect regional winter temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere by a maximum of plus or minus 5 degrees centigrade. The variation in temperature is only seen during winter because of the complex linkages from space through to the Earth's surface.
Image of Earth from space via Shutterstock.
Read more at British Antarctic Survey.
