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 3/2005, issued 10/11/05
Reporting period: 9/27/05 - 10/10/05

Synopsis:
The 2005 ozone hole affected UV levels at all austral network sites according to NASA's Earth Probe TOMS. UV levels at McMurdo Station and the South Pole remained low since prevailing solar elevations were still small. When the ozone hole extended to South America between October 7 and 10, UV indices of 6 and 8 were measured at Palmer Station and Ushuaia, respectively. These indices were amongst the highest measured at these sites during this part of the year.

McMurdo Station, Antarctica:
Solar elevations at McMurdo Station were still below 19° and UV levels remained low. McMurdo Station was close to the edge of the ozone hole until 10/5/05. When the shape of the ozone hole became elongated on 10/6/05, the station was outside the ozone hole area and total ozone increased to values above 370 DU. This led to a marked reduction in UV. Between 9/27/05 and 10/5/05, the daily maximum UV index varied between 0.9 and 1.4. It remained below 0.8 after 10/7/05.

Palmer Station, Antarctica:
Palmer Station was affected by the ozone hole during most of the reporting period. Exceptions are 9/30/05 and 10/1/05. UV levels were highly variable. Much of the variability was caused by changes in cloudiness. The maximum daily UV Index ranged between 0.5 (9/30/05) and 6 (10/8/05). Typical summer-time values are about 8.

South Pole, Antarctica:
Solar elevations at the South Pole were still below 7° and UV levels remained low. The maximum UV index was 0.3.

Ushuaia, Argentina:
Ushuaia was affected several times by the ozone hole. According to TOMS, total ozone dropped below 220 DU on 9/27/05 and between 10/7/05 through 10/10/05. The lowest ozone concentration (161 DU) was measured on 10/8/05 when the ozone hole had an elongated shape and extended to South America. The maximum daily UV index stayed below 5 until 10/6/05 and rose to about 8 on 10/8/05. A UV index of 8 is exceptionally high for Ushuaia during this part of the year.

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