Interannual variability of regional dust storms between Mars years 24 and 36

Dust aerosols in the Martian atmosphere have important impacts on temperatures and atmospheric dynamics, with the most intense effects occurring during global and regional dust storms. Measurements by the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) on board the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) and by the Mars Climate Sounder (MCS) on board Mars Recoinnasance Orbiter (MRO) provide an opportunity to study the interannual variability of these dust storms during 12 Martian years. Late northern winter large regional storms (type C storms) show the highest variability, which does not appear to be driven by global dust storms (GDSs). An analysis of recent intense type C storms (MY 34, 35 and 36, with particular focus on MY 34) allows the characterization of latitudinal, longitudinal and altitudinal dust transport. This study is important to better understand the interannual variability of regional dust storms on Mars and the potential effect of GDS, as well as dust transport during late northern winter regional storms.