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 5/2007, issued 11/20/07
Reporting period: 11/07/07 - 11/20/07

Synopsis:
All three Antarctic sites were affected by ozone hole, whereas Ushuaia was not. At McMurdo and the South Pole, UV intensities were above the long-term mean. UV Indices at the South Pole were close to the upper limit defined by historical measurements. UV levels at Palmer and Ushuaia fluctuated about the climatological average.

McMurdo Station, Antarctica:
McMurdo Station was inside the area of the ozone hole until 19 November; total ozone varied between 180 and 225 DU according to GUV measurements. UV intensities were above the long-term mean, calculated from measurements of the last 18 years. The maximum daily UV Index ranged between 3.7 and 5.7. The climatological mean for the period is 3.4. UV Indices as high has 6.0 have been observed in mid-November historically.

Palmer Station, Antarctica:
Palmer Station was close to the perimeter of the ozone hole most of the time; ozone varied between 190 and 320 DU. UV levels fluctuated about the long-term mean. The maximum daily UV Index ranged between 2.4 and 6.8, with the exception of 19 November, when total ozone dropped to 200 DU and the UV Index was 9.0. The climatological mean for the period is 5.0. UV Indices as high has 13.0 have been observed in mid-November historically.

South Pole, Antarctica:
The South Pole was below the ozone hole during the entire period. Total ozone varied between 150 and 190 DU. UV levels were close to the upper limit defined by measurements of the last 17 years. The UV Index gradually increased from 1.7 on 7 November to 2.7 on 18 November. The long-term average for this period is 1.8, and the overall maximum is 2.9.

Ushuaia, Argentina:
Ushuaia was not affected by the ozone hole during the entire period. Total ozone varied between 310 and 370 DU. UV levels fluctuated about the long-term mean. The maximum daily UV Index ranged between 3.1 and 7.0; the long-term mean is 5.4. UV Indices as high as 10.6 have been observed in November historically.

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