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 3/2006, issued 10/18/06
Reporting period: 10/6/06 - 10/17/06

Synopsis:
UV levels were low to moderate, with the exception of two days when the UV Index at Palmer Station and Ushuaia exceeded 6. McMurdo and South Pole Station remained within the ozone hole area and UV irradiances were close to record levels of previous years. Palmer Station was within the region of the ozone hole until 10/9/06 and UV Indices as high as 7.3 were observed. UV levels measured at Palmer Station after 10/11/06 were low.

McMurdo Station, Antarctica:
Between 10/7/06 and 10/14/06, UV levels at McMurdo Station were close to the upper limit of the range formed by measurements of the last 16 years. Maximum daily UV Indices of this period were between 2.4 and 2.9. These values are still low since noontime solar elevations remained below 22°. The average UV Index calculated from historical measurements of this period is 1.8.

Palmer Station, Antarctica:
Palmer Station was located inside the area of the ozone hole up to 10/9/06. During this period, moderate to high UV levels were measured. The maximum daily UV Index was 7.3, observed on 10/9/06. Between 10/11/06 and 10/17/07, total ozone was larger than 250 DU and UV levels were low. The maximum daily UV Index during this period was 3.0. Long-term mean and maximum UV Indices for the reporting period are 4.2 and 10.5, respectively.

South Pole, Antarctica:
The Sun at the South Pole was less than 9° above the horizon. Absolute UV levels remained small but measurements were at the upper limit of the range defined by measurements of previous years. The maximum UV Index was 0.8.

Ushuaia, Argentina:
Ushuaia was close to the edge of the ozone hole between 10/7/06 and 10/9/06. UV levels during this period were elevated. The maximum daily UV Index was 5.8, observed on 10/9/06. Between 10/11/06 and 10/17/06, UV levels stayed below the long-term average and the UV Index did not exceed 4. The maximum UV Index observed historically during the reporting period was 10.5.

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