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 6/2005, issued 12/16/05
Reporting period: 11/15/05 - 12/15/05

Synopsis:
During the first two weeks in November, the size of the ozone hole had rapidly decreased. Regions with total ozone below 220 DU still existed during the reporting period, affecting UV measurements at the South Pole. UV levels at McMurdo, Palmer, and Ushuaia varied about their means calculated from historic measurements. In the past, spikes in UV have been observed during November and December when pockets of ozone depleted air moved over network sites during the break-up of the ozone hole. Such event have not been observed in 2005.

McMurdo Station, Antarctica:
Total ozone at McMurdo Station ranged between 226 and 381 DU, according to TOMS. UV levels varied about the long-term mean calculated from measurements of the last 14 years. The daily maximum UV Index ranged between 2.4 (11/17/05) and 5.2 (12/3/05). UV Indices as high as 7 have historically been measured between mid-November and mid-December.

Palmer Station, Antarctica:
Total ozone at Palmer Station ranged between 282 and 381 DU. UV levels varied about the long-term mean calculated from measurements of the last 13 years. The daily maximum UV Index ranged between 2.6 (12/5/05) and 7.6 (12/15/05). UV Indices as high as 14 have historically been measured between mid-November and mid-December.

South Pole, Antarctica:
At the South Pole, total ozone dropped below 220 DU between 12/1/05 and 12/3/05 and between 12/10/05 and 12/12/05. These episodes of low total ozone lead to marked increases in UV. The UV Index ranged between 1.1 (11/15/05) and 3.0 (12/11/05). UV Indices as high as 3.6 have historically been measured between mid-November and mid-December.

Ushuaia, Argentina:
Total ozone at Ushuaia ranged between 284 and 374 DU. UV levels varied about the long-term mean calculated from measurements of the last 14 years. Variability in UV was mostly caused by changes in cloudiness. The daily maximum UV Index varied between 2.0 (11/22/05) and 8.0. UV Indices as high as 11 have historically been measured between mid-November and mid-December when pockets of ozone depleted air moved over Ushuaia.

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