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 3/2007, issued 10/16/07
Reporting period: 10/2/07 - 10/16/07

Synopsis:
UV intensities at McMurdo Station and the South Pole remained below their climatological means. UV levels at Palmer Station and Ushuaia exhibited large variations as both sites moved in and out the core area of the ozone hole. The maximum UV Index at Palmer and Ushuaia was 6.5 and 5.8, respectively.

McMurdo Station, Antarctica:
The center of the ozone hole was shifted toward the Atlantic Ocean, away from McMurdo Station. The Station was outside the core area of the ozone hole for all days but 8 October, when GUV measurements indicated a drop of total ozone to 187 DU. UV intensities at McMurdo Station were well below the climatological mean calculated from measurements of the last 18 years. The UV Index remained below 1.2, with the exception of 8 October, when it was 1.5 at noon. UV Indices as high has 3.6 have been observed historically during this period.

Palmer Station, Antarctica:
Palmer Station was in and out the ozone hole region, which led to large variations in total ozone: the GUV measured ozone columns below 200 DU between 2 and 6 October, above 300 DU on 7 October, and between 150 and 190 DU for 8-16 October. The large changes in total ozone were reflected in UV intensities: daily maximum UV Indices ranged between 1.1 (7 October) and 6.5 (16 October). The climatological mean is 3.8, but UV Indices as high has 10 have been observed historically during this period.

South Pole, Antarctica:
Solar elevations at the South Pole remained below 9° and UV levels were consequently still low; the maximum UV Index was 0.5. Although the Station was inside the ozone hole area during the entire time, UV levels were below the climatological mean calculated from the last 17 years. This may be explained by larger ozone columns than observed during many of the previous years.

Ushuaia, Argentina:
Ushuaia was outside the area of the ozone hole for all days but 4 October, when the edge of the ozone hole passed over town. The GUV measured 195 DU on this day. UV levels generally varied about the climatological mean. The maximum daily UV Index ranged between 2.0 (8 October) and 5.8 (4 October). UV Indices as high has 10 have been observed historically during this period.

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