Total ozone variation in south eastern Europe

Abstract

This paper attempts to discuss regional changes in total column ozone over south eastern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean. In this study, we have examined the spatial and temporal variation over the region using the data of five locations in south eastern Europe and one from eastern Mediterranean location. The findings from the region support the stratospheric ozone in mid‐latitudes is strongly influenced by meteorological variability. The highest deviations in total ozone from TOMS overpass data (1979–2003) are seen in winter–spring. This result may be explained by the dynamical influences on ozone over the region in these seasons. Strong correlations found between total ozone and lower stratospheric temperatures (100 mbar) are expected due to both dynamical and radiative processes.