Sounds like a problem for spring 2005. Any reason for the lower than
usual temps. The "Ozone hole" was alway over the ant arctic because of
the lower temps found there compared to the actic.

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Record low temperatures over the North Pole are thinning the
protective ozone layer, a condition which could affect human health in
northern countries and even central European nations, the European
Union warned Monday.

"Large ozone losses are expected to occur if the cold conditions
persist," said European Commissioner for Science and Research Janez
Potocnik.

He said the first signs of ozone loss have been observed after an
extremely harsh winter above the Arctic.

The ozone layer keeps out ultraviolet radiation, which is dangerous to
humans and animals. Less protection could increase risks of skin
cancer and affect biodiversity, scientists say.

Because of the record lows over the Arctic, scientists have been put
on alert to monitor closely the condition of the ozone layer over the
coming months.

"The meteorological conditions we are now witnessing resemble and even
surpass the conditions of the 1999-2000 winter -- when the worst ozone
loss to date was observed," said Dr. Neil Harris of the European Ozone
Research Coordinating Unit in Britain.

He said temperatures at a 20 kilometer (12 mile) height had dropped to
an average of minus 80 degrees Celsius (minus 112 degrees Fahrenheit),
the lowest over the Arctic in half a century.

People in some northern countries who work out in the open should
taken special precautions for sun protection in a month, Harris said.

While there are considerable year-to-year variations in the Arctic,
there has been ozone loss in the southern Antarctic during almost all
winters since the late 1980s.

"The concern is that the Arctic appears to be moving into
Antarctic-like conditions which will result in an increase in UV
radiation levels that will have consequences on human health in
northern hemisphere countries," the statement of the EU head office
said.

It said the hole in the ozone layer could affect areas around the
polar zone, Scandinavia and even down to central Europe.
===========