Jovian temperature and cloud variability during the 2009-2010 fade of the South Equatorial Belt

► The 2009-10 whitening of Jupiter's SEB was the first complete SEB life cycle since 1992-1993. ► Upwelling increased the infrared opacity of the SEB several months before the whitening. ► A cool zone-like region formed in Jupiter's convective troposphere before the visible fade began. ► Enhanced ice condensation likely caused the dramatic clouding over of the SEB. ► The revival required sublimation of these ices to reveal the belts typical brown colours.