Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite observations indicate that extensive de
nitrification without significant dehydration currently occurs only in the
Antarctic during mid to late June. The fact that denitrification occurs in
a relatively warm month in the Antarctic raises concern about the likelihoo
d of its occurrence and associated effects on ozone recovery in a colder an
d possibly more humid future Arctic lower stratosphere. Polar stratospheric
cloud lifetimes required for Arctic denitrification to occur in the future
are presented and contrasted against the current Antarctic cloud lifetimes
. Model calculations show that widespread severe denitrification could enha
nce future Arctic ozone loss by up to 30%.