The use of NEOPLANTA model for evaluating the UV index in the Vojvodina region (Serbia)

The increase in ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the last several decades caused intensive activities in its monitoring and forecast all over the world. Due to lack of ground measurements of UV index (UVI) in the Vojvodina region (Serbia), the numerical methods are an alternative to estimate its value. The values of the UVI in one hour time resolutions are calculated using the NEOPLANTA model. Model outputs have been compared with measurements recorded, during the spring and summer period of 2006, with the Yankee UVB-1 biometer located at the campus of the University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad (Serbia). Obtained results show a good agreement with the UVI values for low cloudiness, while the largest uncertainties are associated with the higher amounts of ones. The strong correlation (0.815) and small absolute value of the difference of standard deviations in the simulations and the observations (0.102) for data with cloudiness <= 6 and UVI >= 3 indicates good model performances. Based on the overall results it can be concluded, in an acceptable level of accuracy, that the outputs of the NEOPLANTA model are an acceptable data source in the monitoring program of the UV radiation in the Vojvodina region in places having no actual measurements. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.