September's ozone hole biggest in 20 years, warning signs appeared months ago
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- The Antarctic ozone hole peaked at over 27 million square kilometers in September 2026, the second-largest on record for that month, caused by a strong polar vortex and cold temperatures.
- Although the Montreal Protocol has reduced ozone-depleting substances by a third since 2000, atmospheric dynamics can still produce severe ozone holes, with early predictions in May 2026 matching the observed growth.
- The ozone hole affects Southern Hemisphere weather, leading to warmer, wetter conditions in New Zealand and increased rainfall in southeast Australia, and is expected to persist for decades despite long-term recovery projections.