The Antarctic ozone hole, which typically reaches its annual peak area between mid-September and early October, formed more slowly this year but quickly expanded to cover a larger area of low ozone values than the past few years, according to NOAA and NASA scientists. This area, shown here in this satellite analysis of total ozone concentration, is consistent with scientists’ understanding of ozone depletion chemistry and the colder than average 2015 stratospheric weather conditions, which contribute to ozone depletion. In this image, areas colored red are below the 220 Dobson Unit threshold, which indicates a low concentration of ozone. The Antarctic ozone hole, located above the South Pole, expands during every Southern Hemisphere Antarctic spring. Additional information will be forthcoming about this year’s ozone hole in late October. Continue to monitor global ozone concentrations using NOAA View.