The 2026 Antarctic ozone hole ranks seventh largest in 48 years of monitoring

NASA Earth Observatory says the 2026 Antarctic ozone hole ranked seventh largest in 48 years when measured by mean area during the September 7–October 13 peak depletion season, reaching its annual maximum area on September 18. An unusually strong Antarctic polar vortex created colder stratospheric conditions favorable to ozone loss, yet the hole was not as deep as other large-area years, showing that area and minimum concentration are different indicators. The long trend reflects both legacy chlorofluorocarbons and year-to-year weather, with Antarctic ozone expected to return to 1980 levels only in the 2070s.