UV levels in Canada will be extra strong this summer (temperature, days)

[Stumbler.]

For the Canadians here on this forum...

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2011/06/03/technology-ultraviolet-ozone-sun-summer.html?ref=rss

I actually woke up this morning to a local radio program speaking of watching out for sunburn this summer, because according to Environment Canada this summer's UV levels will be unusually high.

Apparently, there is some ozone-depleted layer that is moving over much of the country this summer.

I also tried to google more info about this since I was curious, but there does not appear to be much online, nor info/reports from other sources from or about other locations in the world.

In any case UV index level of 11 occuring in southern Ontario would be interesting.

I don't think I have seen that ever here (I actually don't think I have seen reports of indexes above 9 any summer in Toronto or southern Ontario, personally, and that's as close as you can get to the equator in this country).

But I have noticed UV levels are at 9 (high) quite often these past few days which have been clear, after a soggy, gloomy part of much of April and May. Though, on reflection, I did notice I got a sunburn quite early this year, walking outside for only a few hours for the first period of time with much skin exposed sometime in early/mid May (I have quite pale skin but even so, this was pretty early with just a little exposure) so they could be right!

[ricardobrazil]

Originally Posted by Stumbler.

For the Canadians here on this forum...

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2011/06/03/technology-ultraviolet-ozone-sun-summer.html?ref=rss

I actually woke up this morning to a local radio program speaking of watching out for sunburn this summer, because according to Environment Canada this summer's UV levels will be unusually high.

Apparently, there is some ozone-depleted layer that is moving over much of the country this summer.

I also tried to google more info about this since I was curious, but there does not appear to be much online, nor info/reports from other sources from or about other locations in the world.

In any case UV index level of 11 occuring in southern Ontario would be interesting.

I don't think I have seen that ever here (I actually don't think I have seen reports of indexes above 9 any summer in Toronto or southern Ontario, personally, and that's as close as you can get to the equator in this country).

But I have noticed UV levels are at 9 (high) quite often these past few days which have been clear, after a soggy, gloomy part of much of April and May. Though, on reflection, I did notice I got a sunburn quite early this year, walking outside for only a few hours for the first period of time with much skin exposed sometime in early/mid May (I have quite pale skin but even so, this was pretty early with just a little exposure) so they could be right!

What are normal levels for Canada???

Well, I think you can pass by that with no problems. I'm used to be under an index of 14 through most of summer. And it doesn't makes nothing to you during first 15 minutes. After that, sunburn may occur like it did with my father some years ago. He and me were on the roof cleaning up our water reservatory. I was dressed but he didn't want to. We stayed there for half an hour under 88F in midOctober. Later on that night, he started complaining about a burning pain over his back and shoulders. There were sunburns, nothing to worry about, just hard pain for 2 days after. He learned the lesson: don't ever defy Brazillian sun.

[N130]

I wonder if this'll include the U.S.. The highest I've ever seen was like anywhere in the U.S. was like an 11, I think I've seen a 10 in NYC. I wonder why the southern hemisphere has higher UV levels, I recall seeing some 14-16's which I didn't even know existed.

[ColdCanadian]

Last year Toronto had at least two days with a UV report of 10.
You have to get exceptionally clear skies within about 2 weeks of June 21st for that to occur it seems.

[deneb78]

This weekend, we're supposed to get a UV index of 9 for Vancouver which is fairly high for us.

[Joe90]

High UVI's suck! WE have 3-4 months of 11, with 12 and 13 readings. Working on orchards, I've seen some nasty sunburn/stroke at times. Generally overseas backpackers, who don't think it is a problem if the temperature is only in the low 20'sC/70'sF. There is (now)a legal obligation to inform workers of any risk, so it isn't as bad as it used to be.

I like summer, but much prefer the UVI from late summer/early autumn, when it drops to a more acceptable 9.

[Stumbler.]

Originally Posted by ricardobrazil

What are normal levels for Canada???

I don't have stats so just based on my gut feeling (I can't say though that I check UV every day but rather, occasionally):

In the winter, it's barely anything. I see 1's and 2's at the most until spring starts to arrive (don't think many people bother to check ). For more than half the year in Canada (can't remember the stats), there there's actually not enough UV to produce vitamin D based on sunlight alone (I heard that this becomes a problem for people with darker skin here), and besides then no one is going to be showing much skin anyways.

In the summer, more cloudy days may only give maybe 5-6, but clear days give higher measures, more like 7, 8 and up to 9 at the peak time (around the couple to few hours at and after noon) but which is pretty high for this country.

I know it really is nothing compared to southern hemisphere UV levels or those close to the equator, but for Canada, ones 10 or above in summer are really quite rare enough (so much that I have not really seen above 9 if I didn't look carefully).

[j96g]

Originally Posted by N130

I wonder if this'll include the U.S.. The highest I've ever seen was like anywhere in the U.S. was like an 11, I think I've seen a 10 in NYC. I wonder why the southern hemisphere has higher UV levels, I recall seeing some 14-16's which I didn't even know existed.

Just looking at the UV index at weatherunderground it seems to show the range being to a scale up to 16.

[ColdCanadian]

Originally Posted by j96g

Just looking at the UV index at weatherunderground it seems to show the range being to a scale up to 16.

In Australia the UV forecast hits 17 and 18.

I have experienced UV as high as 12 here in February, and that surprisingly isn't insane.
Imho, it feels like adding 50% to the intensity of a UV 8 or UV 9 day. It's not twice as strong.
I think Canadians will be fine, as long as they get outside often enough their skin isn't shocked.

[ben86]

Originally Posted by ColdCanadian

In Australia the UV forecast hits 17 and 18.

I have experienced UV as high as 12 here in February, and that surprisingly isn't insane.
Imho, it feels like adding 50% to the intensity of a UV 8 or UV 9 day. It's not twice as strong.
I think Canadians will be fine, as long as they get outside often enough their skin isn't shocked.

Maybe Canadians will be fine, but I really can't imagine how the early British settlers managed with it presumably before sun cream was invented and when most work was outdoors. I think my UV tolerance must be getting better as I get older, I spent pretty much the whole afternoon yesterday watching cricket and sunbathing in our UV 6/7 sun (about the strongest we can get) and was actually impressed I didn't get burnt. I'm not exactly sure what the highest UV I've ever seen is, but I've seen fully overhead sun (or close enough as makes no difference) in Guatemala. Feels so odd to me how quickly the sun moves up and down the sky at the lower latitudes.