Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Khulm, Afghanistan, understanding the UV Index is essential for protecting your skin and overall health from harmful sun exposure. With the region's BSk climate, characterized by dry, sunny days, UV levels can rise significantly, peaking at 11 around midday. This makes awareness of UV levels crucial for preventing sunburn and long-term skin damage. By monitoring the UV Index throughout the day, residents and visitors can take proactive measures to stay safe under the sun, particularly when levels reach 8 to 11, which indicate a high risk of harm without proper protection.
The UV Index throughout the day showcases a striking pattern of intensity, peaking at 11 between 11:00 and 12:00. Early risers will find the UV levels relatively mild, starting at 3 at 07:00, and gradually escalating to a notable 10 by 10:00. As the sun reaches its zenith, the index hits its highest point, signaling a need for sun protection. Come the afternoon, there's a gentle decline, with values dipping to 7 at 14:00, and continuing to fall to 5 by 15:00. As the day wanes, the UV intensity softens significantly, with the index decreasing to 1 by 17:00, and finally reaching 0 at 19:00, marking a safe time for outdoor activities without the risk of sunburn. Stay aware and protect yourself during those peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 08:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 10:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index displays significant seasonal variations, indicating changes in the risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. The high-risk months are primarily from March to August, during which the UV Index peaks at 11 in May, June, and July, categorizing these periods as extreme exposure risk with a minimal burn time of just 10 minutes. As the seasons transition, awareness is essential; in March and April, UV levels increase to very high, suggesting visitors and residents should seek shade and use sunscreen after just 15 minutes of exposure. Entering the fall, from September to November, UV levels gradually decline but remain moderate in late fall, with burn times of 25 to 30 minutes. To protect against UV radiation year-round, it’s advisable for everyone to apply sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and seek shade especially during midday sun in the high-risk months.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazar-e Sharif UVI | 3 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Khulm | 4 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Jalalabad UVI | 4 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| Herat UVI | 5 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| Kandahar UVI | 5 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 5 |
| Kabul UVI | 6 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 4 |