Antarctic ozone depletion, rather than rising greenhouse gas levels, is the prime culprit for the shifting jet stream in the Southern Hemisphere, a study using observational data has found — supporting previous modelling results.

The westerly jet stream has been shifting southward for the past few decades, affecting weather and climate. Sukyoung Lee and Steven Feldstein at Pennsylvania State University in University Park analysed data on four different wind patterns that fluctuate on short timescales. They found that ozone loss contributes about 50% more than greenhouse gases towards the jet-stream changes.

Alterations in the westerly jet stream during the summer have been linked to variations in rain patterns and storm locations.

Science 339, 563–567 (2013)