Quasi-Biennial Oscillation in Ozone

Abstract

Harmonic analyses of mean monthly ozone data, after the annual cycle has been removed, have shown the existence of the quasi-biennial oscillation with a period of about 26 months. It extends from the equator to the temperate and polar latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere its existence is confirmed at Aspendale and Brisbane. The amplitude of the 26-month oscillation in ozone follows a meridionalwave pattern with an approximate wavelength of about 30 deg of latitude. The oscillation at the position of the tropical amplitude maximum is approximately out of phase with the oscillation at temperate and polar latitudes, the latter two being in phase with each other. The 26-month oscillation in ozone is nearly in phase with the corresponding oscillation in temperature at about 55 mb.