What is the UV Index?
The UV Index is a next day forecast of the amount of skin damaging UV radiation expected to reach the earth’s surface at the time when the sun is highest in the sky (solar noon). The amount of UV radiation…
What is UV radiation?
Ultraviolet(UV) radiation is a specific part of the sun’s entire spectrum of wavelengths Figure 1. UV radiation can be further sub-divided into three parts. UV-C is characterized by wavelengths less than 280 nm. Although highly dangerous to plants and animals,…
How does UV vary in a day?
The variation throughout the course of the day (diurnal) of UV radiation is much like that of visible light. Figure 1 overlays a mostly clear day’s observations of the “global” or mostly visible radiation and UV radiation. Notice how UV…
How do clouds, elevation, surface type and aerosols affect UV radiation?
Clouds, air pollution, haze and elevation all have affects on the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the surface. UV radiation reaches the surface as a sum of its direct component (normal to the sun) and its diffuse component (from…
Protect Yourself, Family and Pets from Excessive Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation
UV Safety: Stay Safe in the Sun
Severe Thunderstorm Safety
Severe thunderstorms are officially defined as storms that are capable of producing hail that is an inch or larger or wind gusts over 58 mph. Hail this size can damage property such as plants, roofs and vehicles. Wind this strong…
Tornado Safety
A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground. Tornadoes are capable of completely destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees, and hurling objects through the air like deadly missiles. Tornadoes…
Tsunami Safety
Tsunamis are among Earth’s most infrequent hazards. But even though tsunamis do not occur very often, and most are small and nondestructive, they pose a major threat to coastal communities, particularly in the Pacific. A tsunami can strike any ocean…
Wind Safety
High winds can occur during a severe thunderstorm, with a strong weather system, or can flow down a mountain. When winds are sustained at 40-50 mph, isolated wind damage is possible. Widespread significant wind damage can occur with higher wind…
Space Weather and Safety
In order to protect people and systems that might be at risk from space weather effects, we need to understand the causes. The sun is the main source of space weather. Eruptions of plasma and magnetic field structures from the…