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 2/2005, issued 9/27/05
Reporting period: 9/13/05 - 9/26/05

Synopsis:
The 2005 ozone hole affected UV levels at all austral network sites according to NASA's Earth Probe TOMS. UV levels generally fell within the range established by measurements of the last 10 years. Prevailing solar elevations are still small and absolute UV levels were therefore still low. The UV Index remained below 4.5 at all austral network sites.

McMurdo Station, Antarctica:
McMurdo Station was below the ozone hole during most of the reporting period. Exceptions are 9/22/05 and 9/23/05 when total ozone exceeded 220 DU, according to TOMS. Solar elevations were still below 14° and UV levels were therefore still low. The maximum UV Index observed during the last two weeks was 0.7.

Palmer Station, Antarctica:
Total ozone at Palmer Station was below 200 DU during the entire reporting period, according to TOMS. UV levels were somewhat above the long-term average for this period, calculated from measurements performed between 1991 and 2004. Day-to-day variability was high. The maximum daily UV Index ranged between 1.4 (9/15/05) and 4.4 (9/26/05). These values are still low compared to typical summer-time values of about 8.

South Pole, Antarctica:
UV levels at the South Pole are still very small as the Sun has just risen.

Ushuaia, Argentina:
The edge of the ozone hole passed over Ushuaia on 9/16/05 (TOMS measured 244 DU) and 9/26/05 (179 DU). UV levels were comparable to measurements of previous years. The maximum daily UV Index ranged between 1.4 (9/13/05) and 4.4 (9/25/05 and 9/26/05). Typical summer-time UV Indices are about 8.

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