NIWA scientists are predicting that this year’s ozone hole will stay around for longer than usual, potentially lasting into early summer.
NIWA’s Principal Scientist - Atmosphere and Climate, Dr Olaf Morgenstern, says this is largely due to a combination of climate change and the 2022 Tonga volcanic eruption.
NIWA scientists are predicting that this year’s ozone hole will stay around for longer than usual, potentially lasting into early summer.
NIWA’s Principal Scientist - Atmosphere and Climate, Dr Olaf Morgenstern, says this is largely due to a combination of climate change and the 2022 Tonga volcanic eruption.
Without the global CFC ban we’d already be facing the reality of a “scorched earth”, according to researchers measuring the impact of the Montreal Protocol.
For a small group of unassuming buildings nestled amongst the wide-open spaces of the Maniototo, the Lauder Atmospheric Research Station punches well above its weight.
On the eve of the 30th anniversary since the Montreal Protocol came into force, new research by NIWA scientists reinforces its reputation as the world’s most successful environmental treaty.
Sun worshippers may feel the burn next week as scientists and health professionals from around the world meet in Wellington to discuss the latest research on the effects of UV radiation.
CFCs have damaged the ozone layer and led to higher UV levels and increased health risks. Our role is to understand the causes and effects of ozone depletion, to inform the public of the risk.
This is the home for NIWA's UV and ozone research, including maps and graphs showing daily predictions and measurements for UV levels across New Zealand.
The NIWA Weather app gives forecasts out to six days and 48-hour UV forecasts. You can view the UV forecasts with or without cloud cover using a simple toggle and the forecast gives you recommendations about sun protection needed.
NIWA's Atmospheric Research Station at Lauder in Central Otago specialises in measuring CFCs, ozone, UV levels and greenhouse gases and has a wide range of world-class instruments and research scientists.
NIWA has developed a real time UV display in consultation with the Cancer Society and Sunsmart. The first prototype is currently installed at the new Molyneux Aquatic centre in Alexandra.
The UV Index is a measure of the intensity of UV radiation. The larger the number, the more intense the UV. In New Zealand, its maximum summer value is generally about 12, but it can exceed 13 in the far North. In winter it reaches peak values of 1 or 2. Values of 10 or more should be considered as "extreme". At high altitude tropical sites (eg Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii), the UV Index can exceed 20. The UV Index supersedes the idea of "Time to Burn" or "Burn Time", which has been used previously in New Zealand.
Despite the small size of this year’s ozone hole, scientists cannot yet say whether this ozone hole season marks the start of a sustained recovery of the Antarctic ozone layer or just year-to-year variation.
Information about UV radiation in New Zealand and its effects on the environment is available from papers presented at UV Workshops held in 1993, 1997, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018.
