Previous UV Bulletin

UV bulletins are short reports on current UV levels at NSF network locations. They are posted bi-weekly between September and December when the "ozone hole" is affecting UV levels at our Austral sites.

Bulletin 5/2003, issued 11/11/03
Reporting period: 10/27/03 - 11/09/03

Synopsis:
UV levels at Antarctic network sites and Ushuaia were below the long-term means. The comparatively low UV levels can be explained by the fact that Palmer and Ushuaia were outside the area of the ozone hole during the entire period. At McMurdo, total ozone dropped below 220 DU during two days only.

McMurdo Station, Antarctica:
UV levels measured at McMurdo were below the long-term mean during most of the reporting period. Exceptions are 10/29/03 and 10/30/03, when the ozone hole passed over the station. During these two days, the maximum daily UV Index reached 3.6. It was below 2.5 for the rest of the period. The long-term average is 3.1, and the highest UV Index historically observed during this period is 6.2, measured on 11/4/98.

Palmer Station, Antarctica:
UV levels measured at Palmer Station were below the long-term mean since Palmer was outside the area of the ozone hole during the entire period. The maximum daily UV Index ranged between 1.5 (measured on 10/28/03) and 5.4 (measured on 11/4/03). The long-term average is 5.0, and the highest UV Index historically observed during this period is 13.6. It was measured on 11/1/97.

South Pole, Antarctica:
UV levels measured at the South Pole were below the long-term mean during all but three days of the reporting period. Measurements between 11/4/03 and 11/9/03 were particularly low, when the station was outside the area of the ozone hole. During this period, the UV Index dropped below 1.2. Long-term average and maximum UV Index for the 11/4/03 - 11/9/03 period are 1.6 and 2.3, respectively. Typical summer values range between 2 and 3, with extreme value exceeding 3.5.

Ushuaia, Argentina:
Ushuaia was located outside the area of the ozone hole during the entire period. UV levels were somewhat below the long-term mean, with maximum daily UV Index values ranging between 3.8 and 4.8. One exception is 11/8/03, when the UV Index was reduced to 2.7 due to cloud cover. The long-term average and maximum UV Index for the reporting period are 4.8 and 9.5, respectively.

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