There is a substantial background of ozone (O3) present in the lower troposphere in the Northern Hemisphere that has both a stratospheric and photochemical tropospheric origin. Levels of hourly averaged O3 concentrations in the range 0.04--0.08 ppm are often measured as part of the background O3 burden. Stratospheric processes play a significant role in defining these background O3 concentrations. In order to better understand the frequency, spatial, and temporal characteristics of this background O3 burden, we have analyzed hourly average O3 concentrations ≥0.05 and ≥0.06 ppm that were experienced during the photochemically quiescent months in the winter and spring at several rural sites across southern Canada, the northern United States, and northern Europe. Our results were mostly consistent and indicated that hourly average O3 concentrations ≥0.05 and ≥0.06 ppm occur frequently during the winter and spring months. Most occurrences were during April and May but sometimes as late as June. In some, but not all, of the cases that were studied, a plausible explanation for the higher O3 values was the presence of upper tropospheric and stratospheric air that was transported down to the surface. For purposes of making the analysis more straightforward, this study was limited to the more northerly latitudes. It might be expected that a significant contribution from natural sources is also important in producing O3 levels in the 0.05--0.06 ppm or higher range at more southerly locations where stratospheric intrusions also have an important impact on the tropospheric O3 distribution. ¿ 2001 American Geophysical Union