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 2/2007, issued 10/02/07
Reporting period: 09/11/07 - 10/01/07

Synopsis:
UV levels remained low to moderate during the reporting period since solar elevations were still small. The ozone hole affected UV radiation at all austral network sites. The UV Index at Palmer Station was 5.0 on 29 and 30 September, when the ozone hole was centered above the station. Ushuaia was influenced between 22 and 24 September when the ozone hole was elongated and extended to South America.

McMurdo Station, Antarctica:
UV levels at McMurdo Station remained low as solar elevations were still below 15°; the UV Index did not exceed 0.8. Between 11 and 18 September, UV intensities were close to the average calculated from measurements of the last 18 years. Between 19 September and 1 October, UV levels were well below the climatological mean. UV intensities were particularly low on 21 and 22 September (UV Index < 0.4), when McMurdo was outside the area of the ozone hole (total ozone 325 DU, according to OMI).

Palmer Station, Antarctica:
Palmer Station was located inside the area of the ozone hole, with the exception of the period 15-19 September. Between 11 and 28 September, UV levels varied about the climatological mean established from measurements of the last 18 years; the maximum daily UV Index was between 0.5 and 3.0. Between 29 September and 2 October, the center of the ozone hole was close to Palmer Station. Total ozone dropped to 140 DU, according to measurements of the station's GUV radiometer. UV levels rose sharply during this period; the noon-time UV Index was 5.0.

South Pole, Antarctica:
The Sun at the South Pole was less than 3° above the horizon. UV levels were very small and comparable to measurements of previous years. The maximum UV Index was 0.2.

Ushuaia, Argentina:
Total ozone at Ushuaia varied between 340 DU on 19 September and 180 DU on 23 September, when the ozone hole was elongated and extended to South America. The large change in total ozone is reflected in UV measurements: the maximum daily UV Index was 1.1 on 20 September and about 4.7 on 22 and 28 September. Typical summer-time UV Indices are about 8.

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