Research Article

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UV-B climatology in Central Spain

  1. Julia Bilbao*,
  2. Pablo Salvador González,
  3. Argimiro De Miguel Castrillo

Article first published online: 25 FEB 2008

DOI: 10.1002/joc.1685

Issue

International Journal of Climatology

International Journal of Climatology

Volume 28, Issue 14, pages 1933–1941, 30 November 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Bilbao, J., González, P. S. and Castrillo, A. D. M. (2008), UV-B climatology in Central Spain. Int. J. Climatol., 28: 1933–1941. doi: 10.1002/joc.1685

Author Information

  1. Valladolid University, Applied Physics Department, Prado de la Magdalena Street s/n, 47005, Valladolid, Spain

*Valladolid University, Applied Physics Department, Prado de la Magdalena Street s/n, 47005, Valladolid, Spain.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 22 OCT 2008
  2. Article first published online: 25 FEB 2008
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 24 DEC 2007
  4. Manuscript Revised: 21 DEC 2007
  5. Manuscript Received: 26 MAR 2007

Funded by

  • Education and Research Spanish Ministry. Grant Number: CGL2006-06519

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Keywords:

  • broadband UV-B solar irradiance;
  • statistical analysis;
  • variability;
  • attenuation;
  • transparency;
  • Valladolid;
  • Spain

Abstract

Broadband ultraviolet-B solar irradiance, 280–315 nm, at ground level in Valladolid (Spain) has been recorded for a 45-month period, from July 2002 to March 2006.

Daily maximum of hourly average irradiance values occur in July, 2.02 W m−2, and minimum, 0.3 W m−2, in December at solar noon. UV-B daily values follow the pattern of the solar elevation angle; the total accumulated UV-B irradiation along a mean year reaches 7.04 MJ m−2.

A study of the most representative statistical characteristics of hourly average UV-B irradiance and daily irradiation values has been carried out and the results show that the inter-quartile range is small in winter and increases in spring and summer; maximum stability in UV-B takes place at solar noon and around summer; it can be concluded that this maximum may be considered representative of the UV-B irradiance values.

The inter-annual variability has been examined; the monthly-integrated UV-B irradiation values show a large annual cycle with a maximum in July, when the influences of the annual ozone column and summer solstice occur.

The UV-B potential and extraterrestrial irradiation has been calculated and determined in order to know the attenuation of UV-B radiation through the atmosphere. It has been obtained that the UV-B percentage transmitted by the atmosphere increases from winter to summer, a maximum value of 10% is obtained in July and a minimum of 4% in December. The atmospheric transparency without clouds oscillates between 10% in spring and 3% in November. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society

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