n. — Outdoors, Science
a measure of ultraviolet radiation as it affects human skin (sunburn).
Type: 1. Origin — The UV index was developed by Environment Canada scientists in 1992. It predicts the intensity of ultraviolet rays every day at solar noon, and in Canada operates on a scale from one to (usually) eleven (see Environment Canada reference). In other countries, such as Australia, the index may go even higher.
The World Health Organization developed its own UV index in 1995, which created a global standard, to which Canada now adheres (see UNEP reference).