Rapid expansion and evolution of a regional dust storm in the Acidalia Corridor during the initial growth phase of the Martian global dust storm of 2018

A vigorous regional dust storm substantially altered both the global atmospheric thermal structure and the magnitude and spatial distribution of dust loading within the Mars atmosphere between 1 and 9 June 2018. We examine the development and decay of this storm in latitude, longitude, altitude, and time, employing observations by the Mars Climate Sounder on board the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Dust layer top altitudes rose from seasonal-normal values of similar to 40 to similar to 70 km. Dust lofting to high altitudes was localized between 0 degrees and similar to 60 degrees W longitude, and between 60 degrees N and 60 degrees S latitude. Intensification of paired meridional overturning circulation cells within the study area is confirmed by strong nighttime dynamical heating in higher latitudes of both hemispheres. By the end of this episode, significant dust loading was present at altitudes greater than 50 km above all longitudes on Mars, and other dust lifting centers had been activated.