Recent increases in solar UV radiation across Europe. A 40-location study to identify trend boundaries

Significant trends of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) have been reported at limited European sites due to changing atmospheric conditions, such as cloudiness. Whether these findings are applicable to larger areas or even the entire continent remains unclear. In a unique comparison, we analyzed measurements of erythemally weighted daily ambient radiant exposure from 40 European locations, covering the period from 2013 to 2022. At 26 locations annual means increases statistically significantly with a median of + 1.2%/yr. At 38 sites at least monthly means increases with medians between + 2%/yr and + 4%/yr. Increases were seen in satellite products of UVR, global solar radiation, and sunshine duration, too. Analysis at six stations, with data extending back to the mid-1990s, indicates that the period of statistically significant increases generally began between 2010 and 2013. Comparison of UVR data from 40 stations with a high-resolution global solar radiation trend map reveals complementary patterns, highlighting widespread but not uniform UVR changes across Europe. This combination enables figuring out the regional extent of trends. Thus, ground-based UVR measurements remain essential for quantifying changes, highlighting the need for continued monitoring with sufficiently dense measurement networks. This is also essential for understanding and mitigating the impacts of changing UVR on human health, particularly by assessing its potential for increased UVR-related skin cancer incidence and development of preventive measures. Moreover, detailed regional UVR data is essential for achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, specifically in human health, sustainable cities, climate action, and environmental conservation.