Policy questions

Q. Why isn't the NWS expanding the number of cities included in the UV Index?

A. The NWS is working with the private sector to develop a public/private partnership to expand availability of UV Indices to more areas of the U.S. and encourage the development of tailored UV exposure forecasts for special user groups such as beaches and resorts.

Q. Is the NWS UV Index still considered an experimental product?

A. No. The UV Index is now a regular forecast product.

Q. Have you set a date for the NWS to review its involvement in providing UV Index forecasts to the public?

A. The NWS will continue issuing a "base line" UV Index for 58 cities in the U.S. The NWS will not expand its basic product, but will encourage private sector meteorologists to make similar UV Indices widely available across the country. In the spirit of our past strong public/private partnership, the NWS will conduct ongoing reviews of the UV Index program with the private sector.

Q. Will you ever be expanding to more than the current 58 cities? Will you at some point stop doing the UV Index forecasts?

A. The NWS will consult with private sector meteorologists before any change is made to the current UV Index. We do not plan any increase or discontinuation of the UV Index this year.

Q. Will the NWS continue to do research ("Beta Tests") to determine if applying local climatology helps improve the quality of the UV forecasts?

A. No. The NWS is providing a basic forecast, but the private sector will have the role of improving and adding value to the NWS UV Index forecasts.

Q. Has the NWS made any plans to meet again with private sector meteorologists to discuss how a public/private partnership regarding UV Indices will work?

A. As it has over many years in our public/private partnership, the NWS will continue to meet with private sector meteorologists to discuss issues of mutual interest, and the UV Index issue will be addressed at all opportune forums. The next planned meeting on UV Indices will be this fall.