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 3/2004, issued 10/12/04
Reporting period: 9/26/04 - 10/10/04

Synopsis:
UV levels at all austral network sites were close to average values typically observed for this part of the year. Ushuaia was affected by ozone depleted airmassess during the period 9/26/04 - 9/30/04, leading to modest increases in UV.

McMurdo Station, Antarctica:
UV levels at McMurdo Station were somewhat below the long-term average for this part of the year. The maximum UV Index observed during the last two weeks was 1.4.

Palmer Station, Antarctica:
UV levels at Palmer Station varied around average values for this part of the year. Highest levels were measured on 10/10/04 (UV Index 6.5) when the center of the ozone hole was shifted toward the Antarctic Peninsula. Typical summer-time UV Index values range between 8 and 10.

South Pole, Antarctica:
The Sun at the South Pole was still less than 7 degrees above the horizon during the reporting period. UV levels were therefore still small. The maximum UV Index was 0.36.

Ushuaia, Argentina:
Ushuaia was generally outside the core area of the ozone hole, but NASA/TOMS satellite images indicate that ozone depleted airmasses moved over Ushuaia between 9/26/04 and 9/30/04. UV levels during this period were above the long-term mean. The noon-time UV Index on 9/28/04 was 4.6; typical values for this part of the year range between 2.5 and 3.5. These values are still low compared to a typical summer-time UV Index of 8.

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