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 3/2003, issued 10/14/03
Reporting period: 9/29/03 - 10/12/03

Synopsis:
UV levels at Antarctic stations increased as the Sun rose but stayed within the limits defined by measurements of the last 10 years. UV levels during the reporting period were considerably higher than measurements during the same period in 2002, which were unusually low due to the early break-up of the ozone in September 2002.

Very high UV levels were observed at Ushuaia between 10/5/03 and 10/7/03 when the town was underneath the ozone hole. On 10/6/03, a maximum UV Index of 9.3 was measured. Typical UV Index values for this time of the year range between 3 and 5.

McMurdo Station, Antarctica:
UV levels measured at McMurdo were close to average values for this time of the year. The maximum daily UV Index ranged between 0.8 and 1.8. These values are still low compared to values typically observed later in the year as the solar elevation during the reporting period was still below 20°. Typical late-spring and early-summer UV Index values range between 5 and 7. (The noon-time solar elevation at solstice is 36°.)

Palmer Station, Antarctica:
UV levels measured at Palmer Station were above average but did not exceed the upper envelope formed by measurements of the years 1990 - 2001. The maximum daily UV Index ranged between 4.0 and 6.8; typical values for this time of the year range between 2.5 and 6.0. The larger-than-average values that were observed during the reporting period were a consequence of comparatively thin cloud cover and the fact that Palmer Station was underneath the ozone hole during the entire period.

South Pole, Antarctica:
Solar elevations at the South Pole were still below 7°. UV levels remained small and were comparable to measurements of the last 10 years. The maximum UV Index was 0.5. Typical summer values range between 2 and 3, with extreme value exceeding 3.5.

Ushuaia, Argentina:
Ushuaia is usually located outside the area of the ozone hole but can see sudden increases in UV when the edge of the ozone hole moves over the city. This happened between 9/27/03 - 9/29/03 and 10/5/03 - 10/7/03. During the latter period, abnormally high UV levels were observed. For example, the maximum daily UV Index increased from 4.6 on 10/4/03 to 9.3 on 10/6/03. Typical Index values for this part of the year range between 3 and 5. Typical summer values range between 7 and 8, but Index values above 11 have historically been observed.

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