Influence of the El Chichon eruption on the stratosphere after summer 1982

Abstract

In Quiroz (1983) warming by 1 - 3°C at 30 mb, between 35°N and the equator, was asnibed to the El Chichón eruption by summer 1982. Two questions are considered here, a posible influence of this warming on the stratospheric quasibiennial oscillation (QBO) and the extent of warming after summer 1982 at SO - 10 mb. The meridional distribution of the warming deduced to summer 1982 does not suggest an important influence on the QBO in wind. The appearance of a contrac\ing period in 1982 - 83 is consistent with such contractions after previous solar maxima since 1951 and does not necessarily reflectan influence dueto the eruption. Sorne indications are given of maximum warming at 30 mb by fall 1982. At SO and 10 mb the volcano-related temperature change after summer and fall 1982 is difficult to determine because of the presence of strong non-volcanic influences.