Influence of an abnormally cold stratospheric polar vortex on the sub-regional PM2.5 anomaly in East Asia in March of 2021

Abstract This study investigates the critical role of meteorological variability, particularly polar vortex dynamics, in shaping PM2.5 anomaly patterns across sub-regions in East Asia. Following sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) in winter, East Asia experienced significant tropospheric transitions,...

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Main Authors: Jae-Hee Cho, Hak-Sung Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-12-01
Series:npj Climate and Atmospheric Science
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-024-00850-8
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author Jae-Hee Cho
Hak-Sung Kim
author_facet Jae-Hee Cho
Hak-Sung Kim
author_sort Jae-Hee Cho
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study investigates the critical role of meteorological variability, particularly polar vortex dynamics, in shaping PM2.5 anomaly patterns across sub-regions in East Asia. Following sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) in winter, East Asia experienced significant tropospheric transitions, including cooling-to-warming shifts. The strengthening of the Mongolian high, combined with tropospheric warming, altered lower tropospheric dynamics. Contrasting warming in Mongolia and cooling to the north intensified baroclinic instability, creating anomalous Mongolian cyclones for increased dust storm activity and higher PM2.5 levels. Elevated PM2.5 concentrations in eastern China, driven by substantial anthropogenic emissions, were dispersed by the divergent flow under the Mongolian high. Cyclones with increased baroclinic instability over southern and northeastern China contributed to precipitation, which led to negative anomaly variations of PM2.5 aerosols. Downwind regions like Korea saw elevated PM2.5 anomalies due to stable lower tropospheric conditions driven by the movement of the warmed Mongolian high.
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spelling doaj-art-5bfc9093ca794d29aff95e97516c735f2025-08-20T01:59:40ZengNature Portfolionpj Climate and Atmospheric Science2397-37222024-12-017111410.1038/s41612-024-00850-8Influence of an abnormally cold stratospheric polar vortex on the sub-regional PM2.5 anomaly in East Asia in March of 2021Jae-Hee Cho0Hak-Sung Kim1Department of Environmental Education, Kongju National UniversityDepartment of Earth Science Education, Korea National University of EducationAbstract This study investigates the critical role of meteorological variability, particularly polar vortex dynamics, in shaping PM2.5 anomaly patterns across sub-regions in East Asia. Following sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) in winter, East Asia experienced significant tropospheric transitions, including cooling-to-warming shifts. The strengthening of the Mongolian high, combined with tropospheric warming, altered lower tropospheric dynamics. Contrasting warming in Mongolia and cooling to the north intensified baroclinic instability, creating anomalous Mongolian cyclones for increased dust storm activity and higher PM2.5 levels. Elevated PM2.5 concentrations in eastern China, driven by substantial anthropogenic emissions, were dispersed by the divergent flow under the Mongolian high. Cyclones with increased baroclinic instability over southern and northeastern China contributed to precipitation, which led to negative anomaly variations of PM2.5 aerosols. Downwind regions like Korea saw elevated PM2.5 anomalies due to stable lower tropospheric conditions driven by the movement of the warmed Mongolian high.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-024-00850-8
spellingShingle Jae-Hee Cho
Hak-Sung Kim
Influence of an abnormally cold stratospheric polar vortex on the sub-regional PM2.5 anomaly in East Asia in March of 2021
npj Climate and Atmospheric Science
title Influence of an abnormally cold stratospheric polar vortex on the sub-regional PM2.5 anomaly in East Asia in March of 2021
title_full Influence of an abnormally cold stratospheric polar vortex on the sub-regional PM2.5 anomaly in East Asia in March of 2021
title_fullStr Influence of an abnormally cold stratospheric polar vortex on the sub-regional PM2.5 anomaly in East Asia in March of 2021
title_full_unstemmed Influence of an abnormally cold stratospheric polar vortex on the sub-regional PM2.5 anomaly in East Asia in March of 2021
title_short Influence of an abnormally cold stratospheric polar vortex on the sub-regional PM2.5 anomaly in East Asia in March of 2021
title_sort influence of an abnormally cold stratospheric polar vortex on the sub regional pm2 5 anomaly in east asia in march of 2021
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-024-00850-8
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