Satellite observations of ozone are used to forecast the clear-sky UV index for today and the next few days, and in combination with MSG cloud data yesterday's UV dose is determined.
Global assimilated ozone fields derived from operational satellite observations (July 2002 to present) or from the long-term Multi-Sensor Reanalysis (MSR) ozone record are used to determine quantities related to the amount of UV radiation at the surface: UV index and UV dose. Data are presented in the form of maps and datafiles, as well as delivered in dedicated formats for specific users throughout the world.
Clear-sky UV index forecast
The clear-sky UV index is a measure for the effective UV irradiance reaching the Earth's surface. The clear-sky UV index is based on the CIE action spectrum for the susceptibility of the caucasian skin to sunburn (erythema) and it is valid for cloud-free conditions at local solar noon. Forecasts are provided for today and the next few days. See: http://www.temis.nl/uvradiation/UVindex.html
Yesterday's UV dose
The UV dose is the effective UV irradiance reaching the Earth's surface integrated over the day and taking the attenuation of the UV radiation due
to clouds into account. The cloud data is compiled from geostationary Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) observations. The UV dose is computed for
three different action spectra, i.e. for three different health effects: erythema (sunburn) of the skin, vitamin-D production in the skin and DNA-damage in the skin.
See: http://www.temis.nl/uvradiation/UVdose.html
