Unusual weather patterns over Antarctica caused the ozone hole to expand dramatically in 2026, reaching one of its largest sizes on record. Despite the striking increase, scientists from NASA and NOAA say Earth’s protective ozone layer is continuing its gradual recovery and remains on track to heal later this century. The 2026 Antarctic ozone hole ranked as the seventh-largest in 48 years of observations, based on its average seasonal area. Scientists attributed the expansion primarily to an exceptionally strong polar vortex, a large circulation of winds that influences atmospheric conditions…
