Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents of Kotowal, Afghanistan, where the Cfa climate brings warm summers and significant sunlight exposure. With UV levels soaring to a peak of 12 during midday, awareness of these levels is essential to prevent sunburn and protect skin health. Knowing when that intense UV radiation hits ensures you can take appropriate measures such as applying sunscreen and wearing protective clothing. The region's unique climate means that encounters with harmful UV rays are frequent, making it all the more important to stay informed and take action to safeguard your wellbeing.
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins its ascent, starting at a moderate level of 4 by 7:00 AM. By 8:00 AM, it climbs to 6, indicating a growing intensity. The peak arrives between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM when the index hits a sweltering 12, suggesting the need for sun protection. As the afternoon progresses, the index drops to 10 by 1:00 PM, then continues to wane, reaching 4 at 3:00 PM. By late afternoon, the UV Index diminishes further to 1 by 5:00 PM, and it finally settles to 0 as daylight fades at 7:00 PM. This data beautifully illustrates the sun's powerful presence throughout the day, reminding us to stay vigilant against UV exposure during peak hours.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 08:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 09:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 10:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 11:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 2 | low | 45 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 experiences significant fluctuations, with the highest risk occurring during the spring and summer months. Notably, March marks the beginning of increased UV levels with a peak index of 10, followed by April and May, where it reaches extremes of 11 and 12, respectively. The highest levels of risk are seen in July, with an index of 13, which signifies an extreme exposure category and a burn time of just 10 minutes. Subsequent months, such as August and September, remain high but gradually decline towards October. The high-risk months are therefore identified as March through October, where individuals should take precautions such as wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and limiting sun exposure, especially during peak hours, to prevent skin damage. In contrast, November and December present more moderate levels, with indices dropping to 5 and 4 respectively, allowing for safer outdoor activities.
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 |
| 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 |
| Kotowal | 6 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 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 |