Antarctica and the Southern Ocean

<div> <div> <div> <p>In 2024, atmospheric conditions over Antarctica exhibited significant anomalies, and were marked by major surface and stratospheric warming and pressure fluctuations. The first half of the year (January–June) featured persistent below-normal surface pressure over the continent, a distinct zonal wavenumber-3 pattern with three deep atmospheric troughs extending over the Weddell Sea, Prydz Bay, and Ross Ice Shelf, and a positive phase of the Southern Annular Mode, with strong circumpolar westerlies. Surface pressure anomalies in February and April were par- ticularly pronounced, with multiple stations recording record-low pressures. [...]</p> </div> </div> </div><p></p>