COMPARISON OF TOTAL OZONE CONTENT DISTRIBUTION OVER NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN HIGH LATITUDES

Our results of comparative analysis of quasi-stationary wave (QSW) influence on total ozone content (TOC) distribution over 60N and 60S latitudes are presented. Version 8 of TOMS total ozone satellite data for 1979-2003 years was used for visualization of the variations of the longitudinal ozone distribution. The 3-month averaging for each year was used to obtain QSW spatial distribution and their spectral components. Long-term changes of QSW characteristics are compared for Arctic and Antarctic regions. The quasi-stationary planetary wave 1 is prevailing in the Southern hemisphere (SH) during the spring period, while in Northern hemisphere (NH) the wave 1 is also predominating, although in separate years the wave 2 dominates. The maximal TOC disturbances by planetary waves are observed in the winter-spring period both in Nil (January-March) and SH (August -October). During the Antarctic ozone hole development (from the mid-1980s and so far) QSW position at 60S changed in the way of eastward rotation, whereas in the latitude 60N only position of QSW maximum slightly moved, also eastward. At means of yearly QSW variations, both hemispheres show strong variability in positions and amplitudes.