Since 1979, from late September to the end of November, the total ozone over the southern polar region has declined by up to 30%, compared with the ozone average for 1957‐78. During the rest of the year there are no indications of a major decline. Neither are there significant changes in the middle latitudes surrounding Antarctica except those related to the QBO. More than 85% of the entire ozone deficiency is observed between 10 and 24 km. The rapid ozone and temperature increase in spring usually occurs in mid October and shows a 2 month lag, compared to the Arctic. The increase is related to the time of the breakdown of the winter stratospheric polar vortex. During the last six years the breakdown has occurred around mid‐November, extending the period with circumpolar circulation by 3‐4 weeks. It is suggested that weak upward motions within the vortex, in the order of 0.1 cm sec−1during September and October, could cause part of the ozone