scholarly journals UV Index Forecasting under the Influence of Desert Dust: Evaluation against Surface and Satellite-Retrieved Data

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dillan Raymond Roshan ◽  
Muammer Koc ◽  
Amir Abdallah ◽  
Luis Martin-Pomares ◽  
Rima Isaifan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Uv Radiation ◽  
Mesoscale Model ◽  
Dust Storms ◽  
Average Error ◽  
Accurate Estimation ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Uv Index ◽  
Desert Dust ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Uv Irradiance

Human exposure to healthy doses of UV radiation is required for vitamin D synthesis, but exposure to excessive UV irradiance leads to several harmful impacts ranging from premature wrinkles to dangerous skin cancer. However, for countries located in the global dust belt, accurate estimation of the UV irradiance is challenging due to a strong impact of desert dust on incoming solar radiation. In this work, a UV Index forecasting capability is presented, specifically developed for dust-rich environments, that combines the use of ground-based measurements of broadband irradiances UVA (320–400 nm) and UVB (280–315 nm), NASA OMI Aura satellite-retrieved data and the meteorology-chemistry mesoscale model WRF-Chem. The forecasting ability of the model is evaluated for clear sky days as well as during the influence of dust storms in Doha, Qatar. The contribution of UV radiation to the total incoming global horizontal irradiance (GHI) ranges between 5% and 7% for UVA and 0.1% and 0.22% for UVB. The UVI forecasting performance of the model is quite encouraging with an absolute average error of less than 6% and a correlation coefficient of 0.93. In agreement with observations, the model predicts that the UV Index at local noontime can drop from 10–11 on clear sky days to approximately 6–7 during typical dusty conditions in the Arabian Peninsula—an effect similar to the presence of extensive cloud cover.

scholarly journals Possible values of UV index in Serbia

2008 ◽  
Vol 136 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 640-643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milorad Letic
Keyword(s):  
Uv Radiation ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Total Column Ozone ◽  
Uv Index ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Expected Values ◽  
June July ◽  
Column Ozone ◽  
Ozone Column

INTRODUCTION UV Index is an indicator of human exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) rays. The numerical values of the UV Index range from 1-11 and above. There are three levels of protection against UV radiation; low values of the UV Index - protection is not required, medium values of the UV Index - protection is recommended and high values of the UV Index - protection is obligatory. The value of the UV Index primarily depends on the elevation of the sun and total ozone column. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study is to determine the intervals of possible maximal annual values of the UV Index in Serbia in order to determine the necessary level of protection in a simple manner. METHOD For maximal and minimal expected values of total column ozone and for maximal elevation of the sun, the value of the UV Index was determined for each month in the Northern and Southern parts of Serbia. These values were compared with the forecast of the UV Index. RESULTS Maximal clear sky values of the UV Index in Serbia for altitudes up to 500m in May, June, July and August can be 9 or even 10, and not less than 5 or 6. During November, December, January and February the UV Index can be 4 at most. During March, April, September and October the expected values of the UV Index are maximally 7 and not less than 3. The forecast of the UV Index is within these limits in 98% of comparisons. CONCLUSION The described method of determination of possible UV Index values showed a high agreement with forecasts. The obtained results can be used for general recommendations in the protection against UV radiation.

scholarly journals Measurements of UV irradiance within the area of one satellite pixel

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (18) ◽  
pp. 5615-5626 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Weihs ◽  
M. Blumthaler ◽  
H. E. Rieder ◽  
A. Kreuter ◽  
S. Simic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Uv Index ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Uv Irradiance ◽  
Instantaneous Values ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Sky Conditions ◽  
Better Than

Abstract. A measurement campaign was performed in the region of Vienna and its surroundings from May to July 2007. Within the scope of this campaign erythemal UV was measured at six ground stations within a radius of 30 km. First, the homogeneity of the UV levels within the area of one satellite pixel was studied. Second, the ground UV was compared to ground UV retrieved by the ozone monitoring instrument (OMI) onboard the NASA EOS Aura Spacecraft. During clear-sky conditions the mean bias between erythemal UV measured by the different stations was within the measurement uncertainty of ±5%. Short term fluctuations of UV between the stations were below 3% within a radius of 20 km. For partly cloudy conditions and overcast conditions the discrepancy of instantaneous values between the stations is up to 200% or even higher. If averages of the UV index over longer time periods are compared the difference between the stations decreases strongly. The agreement is better than 20% within a distance of 10 km between the stations for 3 h averages. The comparison with OMI UV showed for clear-sky conditions higher satellite retrieved UV values by, on the average, approximately 15%. The ratio of OMI to ground measured UV lies between 0.9 and 1.5. and strongly depends on the aerosol optical depth. For partly cloudy and overcast conditions the OMI derived surface UV estimates show larger deviation from the ground-based reference data, and even bigger systematic positive bias. Here the ratio OMI to ground data lies between 0.5 and 4.5. The average difference between OMI and ground measurements is +24 to +37% for partly cloudy conditions and more than +50% for overcast conditions.

ERITEMINĖS ULTRAVIOLETINĖS SPINDULIUOTĖS POKYČIŲ ANALIZĖ

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 25-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata Chadyšienė ◽  
Aloyzas Girgždys
Keyword(s):  
Uv Radiation ◽  
Radiation Intensity ◽  
Total Ozone ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
Downward Trend ◽  
Upward Trend ◽  
Uv Index ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Ozone Data ◽  
Very High

In this article the erythemally weighted UV radiation intensity variations during 2002-2011 were analysed. Also UV radiation intensity and total ozone data in this paper were analysed, because the UV index is directly dependent on the intensity of UV radiation, and most of the UV radiation is absorbed by stratospheric ozone. During 2002-2011 in the course of UV index - the upward trend was observed, and in the total ozone values - the downward trend was observed. During the investigated period in Lithuania the maximum UV index values (very high) on clear sky summer days were determined.

scholarly journals Optimizing UV index determination from broadband irradiances

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith A. Tereszchuk ◽  
Yves J. Rochon ◽  
Chris A. McLinden ◽  
Paul A. Vaillancourt
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Root Mean Square ◽  
Uv Radiation ◽  
Relative Error ◽  
Spectral Resolution ◽  
High Spectral Resolution ◽  
Mean Square ◽  
Uv Index ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Sky Conditions

Abstract. Amidst mounting concerns about the depletion of stratospheric ozone (O3), and for subsequent increases in the surface irradiances of ultraviolet (UV) light and its effects on human health, a daily UV forecast program was launched by Environment Canada in 1993. The program serves to monitor harmful surface UV radiation and provide this information to the Canadian public through the UV index, a scale which reports the relative intensity of the Sun's UV radiation at the Earth's surface, and the corresponding protection actions to be taken. The UV index was accepted as a standard method of reporting surface UV irradiances by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and World Health Organization (WHO) in 1994. A study was undertaken to improve upon the prognosticative capability of Environment and Climate Change Canada's (ECCC) UV index forecast model. An aspect of that work, and the topic of this communication, was to investigate the use of the four UV broadband surface irradiance fields generated by ECCC's Global Environmental Multi-scale (GEM) numerical prediction model to determine the UV index. The basis of the investigation involves the creation of a suite of routines which employ high spectral resolution radiative transfer code developed to calculate UV index fields from GEM forecasts. These routines employ a modified version of the Cloud-J v7.4 radiative transfer model, which integrates GEM output to produce high spectral resolution surface irradiance fields. The output generated using the high-resolution radiative transfer code served to verify and calibrate GEM broadband surface irradiances under clear-sky conditions and their use in providing the UV index. A subsequent comparison of irradiances and UV index under cloudy conditions was also performed. Linear correlation agreement of surface irradiances from the two models for each of the two higher UV bands covering 310–330 nm and 330–400 nm is typically greater than 95 % for clear-sky conditions with associated root mean square relative errors of 5.5 % and 3.8 %. On the other hand, underestimations of clear-sky GEM irradiances were found on the order of ~30–50 % for the 294–310 nm band and by a factor of ~30 for the 280–294 nm band. This underestimation can be significant for UV index determination but would not impact weather forecasting. Corresponding empirical adjustments were applied to the broadband irradiances now giving a correlation coefficient of unity. From these, a least-squares fitting was derived for the calculation of the UV index. The resultant differences in UV indices from the high spectral resolution irradiances and the resultant GEM broadband irradiances are typically within 0.2 with a root mean square relative error in the scatter of ~5.5 % for clear-sky conditions. Similar results are reproduced under cloudy conditions with light to moderate clouds, having a relative error comparable to the clear-sky counterpart; under strong attenuation due to clouds, a substantial increase in the root mean square relative error of up to 30 % is observed due to differing cloud radiative transfer models.

scholarly journals The effect of sun elevation, cloudiness, and altitude on the ultraviolet index in Czechia

Geografie ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 126 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Helena Tomanová ◽  
Lucie Pokorná
Keyword(s):  
Snow Cover ◽  
Uv Radiation ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
Meteorological Conditions ◽  
Uv Index ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
High Doses ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Ultraviolet Index

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has recently become an important topic in relation to the loss of stratospheric ozone. High doses of UV radiation have a negative effect on many organisms. This paper focuses on the UV index (UVI), which expresses the risk of UV radiation on human health. The aim of the paper is to describe the definition of UVI, and its measurement, and to summarize geographical parameters and meteorological conditions affecting the values of UVI. The effect of sun elevation, cloudiness, and altitude is demonstrated using observed data from the Hradec Králové, Košetice and Labská bouda stations during the period 2011–2017. The results show a strong effect of both sun elevation and cloudiness. The highest values of UVI (up to 8) are generally observed on sunny days around midday from May to July. The reduction of the UVI caused by clouds, fog, and rain is, on average, 85% of values typical for sunny days. The effect of altitude is distinctly weaker; a rise of UVI with increasing altitude is 0.4 per 1 km for clear sky and the surface without snow cover.

scholarly journals UV radiation below an Arctic vortex with severe ozone depletion

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 4679-4700 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. M. Knudsen ◽  
H. Jønch-Sørensen ◽  
P. Eriksen ◽  
B. J. Johnsen ◽  
G. E. Bodeker
Keyword(s):  
Uv Radiation ◽  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Biologically Relevant ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Minor Fraction ◽  
Uv Irradiance ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Dynamical Origin

Abstract. The erythemally weighted (UV) irradiance below the severely depleted Arctic vortices in spring 1996 and 1997 were substantially elevated. On average the UV increased 36 and 33% relative to the 1979–1981 mean assuming clear skies from day 80–100 in 1996 and 1997, respectively. On clear sky days large regions of the Arctic experienced maximum UV increases exceeding 70 and 60% on single days in 1996 and 1997, respectively. UV levels in the Arctic spring are comparable to summer levels on biologically relevant vertical surfaces at snow-covered sites. A minor fraction of these increases are not anthropogenic, but have a dynamical origin.

scholarly journals Validation of TROPOMI Surface UV Radiation Product

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaisa Lakkala ◽  
Jukka Kujanpää ◽  
Colette Brogniez ◽  
Nicolas Henriot ◽  
Antti Arola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Free Surface ◽  
Uv Radiation ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Uv Index ◽  
Finnish Meteorological Institute ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Polar Orbiting Satellite ◽  
Snow Conditions ◽  
Relative Differences ◽  
Meteorological Institute

Abstract. The TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) onboard the Sentinel-5 Precursor (S5P) satellite was launched on 13 October 2017 to provide the atmospheric composition for atmosphere and climate research. The S5P is a sun-synchronous polar-orbiting satellite providing global daily coverage. The TROPOMI swath is 2600 km wide, and the ground resolution for most data products is 7.2 x 3.5 km2 (5.6 x 3.5 km2 since 6 August 2019) at nadir. The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) is responsible for the development and processing of the TROPOMI Surface Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation Product which includes 36 UV parameters in total. Ground-based data from 25 sites located in arctic, subarctic, temperate, equatorial and antarctic areas were used for validation of TROPOMI overpass irradiance at 305, 310, 324 and 380 nm, overpass erythemally weighted dose rate/UV index and erythemally weighted daily dose for the period from 1 January 2018 to 31 August 2019. The validation results showed that for most sites 60–80 % of TROPOMI data was within ±20 % from ground-based data for snow free surface conditions. The median relative differences to ground-based measurements of TROPOMI snow free surface daily doses were within ±10 % and ±5 % at two thirds and at half of the sites, respectively. At several sites more than 90 % of clear sky TROPOMI data were within ±20 % from ground-based measurements. Generally median relative differences between TROPOMI data and ground-based measurements were a little biased towards negative values, but at high latitudes where non-homogeneous topography and albedo/snow conditions occurred, the negative bias was exceptionally high, from −30 % to −65 %. Positive biases of 10–15 % were also found for mountainous sites due to challenging topography. The TROPOMI Surface UV Radiation Product includes quality flags to detect increased uncertainties in the data due to heterogeneous surface albedo and rough terrain which can be used to filter the data retrieved under challenging conditions.

scholarly journals Enhancement of UV Radiation by Cloud Effect in NE of Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chigueru Tiba ◽  
Sérgio da Silva Leal
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Uv Radiation ◽  
Extreme Values ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Global Solar Radiation ◽  
Seasonal Effect ◽  
Enhancement Effect ◽  
Monthly Basis ◽  
Uv Index ◽  
Clear Sky

This paper reports a detailed analysis of ground-based measurements of cloud-enhanced global solar and UV radiation in NE Brazil in the city of Recife. It was found that (a) the phenomenon of UV enhancement, above clear sky model, is not uncommon and that it occurs on at least eight months; (b) the cumulative duration can reach 13 minutes; (c) there is a clear seasonal effect, and the probability of occurrence on a monthly basis shows two peaks, one in March and another in October; and (d) the most extreme UV radiation was 70.4 W/m2, approximately 6 W/m2 higher than the clear sky UV radiation. The extreme values should be taken into account in the study of effects related to the UV index and biological effects. Two statistical models also were elaborated, to estimate the UV solar radiation, in which the first is for all sky conditions and the second exclusively for situations where the global solar radiation is equal to or higher than 1367 W/m2, resulting from the enhancement effect caused by a particular configuration of the clouds. The statistical indicatives for both models presented, respectively, MBE% of 3.09 and 0.48% and RMSE% of 15.80 and 3.90%.

scholarly journals Comparison of UV irradiance measurements at Summit, Greenland; Barrow, Alaska; and South Pole, Antarctica

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (16) ◽  
pp. 4799-4810 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Bernhard ◽  
C. R. Booth ◽  
J. C. Ehramjian
Keyword(s):  
Total Ozone ◽  
Surface Albedo ◽  
High Surface ◽  
Lower Latitude ◽  
South Pole ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
Uv Index ◽  
Ice Caps ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Uv Irradiance

Abstract. An SUV-150B spectroradiometer for measuring solar ultraviolet (UV) irradiance was installed at Summit, Greenland, in August 2004. Here we compare the initial data from this new location with similar measurements from Barrow, Alaska, and South Pole. Measurements of irradiance at 345 nm performed at equivalent solar zenith angles (SZAs) are almost identical at Summit and South Pole. The good agreement can be explained with the similar location of the two sites on high-altitude ice caps with high surface albedo. Clouds attenuate irradiance at 345 nm at both sites by less than 6% on average, but can reduce irradiance at Barrow by more than 75%. Clear-sky measurements at Barrow are smaller than at Summit by 14% in spring and 36% in summer, mostly due to differences in surface albedo and altitude. Comparisons with model calculations indicate that aerosols can reduce clear-sky irradiance at Summit by 4–6%; aerosol influence is largest in April. Differences in total ozone at the three sites have a large influence on the UV Index. At South Pole, the UV Index is on average 20–80% larger during the ozone hole period than between January and March. At Summit, total ozone peaks in April and UV Indices in spring are on average 10–25% smaller than in the summer. Maximum UV Indices ever observed at Summit, Barrow, and South Pole are 6.7, 5.0, and 4.0, respectively. The larger value at Summit is due to the site's lower latitude. For comparable SZAs, average UV Indices measured during October and November at South Pole are 1.9–2.4 times larger than measurements during March and April at Summit. Average UV Indices at Summit are over 50% greater than at Barrow because of the larger cloud influence at Barrow.

scholarly journals UV radiation below an Arctic vortex with severe ozone depletion

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
pp. 2981-2987 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. M. Knudsen ◽  
H. Jønch-Sørensen ◽  
P. Eriksen ◽  
B. J. Johnsen ◽  
G. E. Bodeker
Keyword(s):  
Uv Radiation ◽  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Minor Fraction ◽  
Uv Irradiance ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Dynamical Origin

Abstract. The erythemally weighted (UV) irradiance below the severely depleted Arctic vortices in spring 1996 and 1997 were substantially elevated. On average the UV increased 36 and 33% relative to the 1979-1981 mean assuming clear skies from day 80-100 in 1996 and 1997, respectively. On clear sky days large regions of the Arctic experienced maximum UV increases exceeding 70 and 50% on single days in 1996 and 1997, respectively. A minor fraction of these increases are not anthropogenic and have a dynamical origin as seen by comparison to 1982, when hardly any ozone depletion is expected.

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