Dataset Information: UV Index

Title: UV Index (hourly maximum)

Abstract: Developed by Canadian scientists in 1992, the ultraviolet index or UV index measures the strength of sunburn-producing ultraviolet radiation at a given location and time. The index values are calculated from measurements made by ground-based spectometers, broad-band filter radiometer and multi-filter radiometer. UV index values can also be retrieved from satellite measurements of atmospheric ozone and cloud cover. The UV index is measured on a linear scale with higher values indicative of greater risk of sunburn on human skin. Mean noontime UV index values in summer range from 1 in the Arctic to about 12 over the subtropical latitudes. It can be as high as 26 over higher elevations in the tropics. Factors affecting the UV index are sun elevation, total amount of ozone in the atmosphere, cloud cover, reflection from snow cover and local pollution. Forecasts of UV index are now routinely made by various meteorological centres, and adopted as a standard indicator of UV radiation by the World Meteorological Organization and the World Health Organization.

Dataset URI: https://geo.woudc.org/def/data/uv-radiation/uv-irradiance/uv_index_hourly

DOI: doi:10.14287/10000013

Temporal Extent: From 1988-11-18 to now

ISO Topic Category: climatologyMeteorologyAtmosphere

Keywords: ultraviolet radiation spectral broadband multiband solar zenith angle sunburn kipp-zonen uv-biometer optronics brewer biospherical atmosphericComposition pollution observationPlatform rocketSounding

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