Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors of Zurmat, Afghanistan, where the sun's rays can be particularly intense. Awareness of UV levels not only helps in preventing painful sunburns but also plays a pivotal role in maintaining long-term skin health. With a Cfb climate, Zurmat experiences diverse weather patterns, yet the midday sun can lead to dangerously high UV index readings, peaking at 14 around noon. By familiarizing yourself with these UV fluctuations throughout the day, you can enjoy the sun responsibly while protecting your skin from harmful effects.
The UV index today tells a compelling story of intensity as the sun rises and peaks. Starting at a mild 3 at 07:00, the index swiftly climbs to a striking 6 by 08:00. As midday approaches, be prepared for a powerful 12 at 10:00, escalating to an impressive 14 at 11:00—the highest point of the day. Though it slightly dips to 13 at noon, it remains significant until 13:00, where it starts to decrease. From 14:00 onward, the index gently ebbs to 8, then down to 5 at 15:00, heralding a swift decline as evening sets in, landing at a mere 1 by 17:00. The sun's influence wanes further into the night, with a 0 by 19:00, marking the end of the UV exposure for the day. Stay vigilant during those peak hours to enjoy the sunshine safely!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 08:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 09:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 10:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 11:00 | 14 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 8 | very high | 15 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 exhibits significant seasonal changes, indicating varying levels of sun exposure risk. From January to February, the UV Index starts high at 6 and 7 respectively, maintaining high exposure risks with a burn time of 25 minutes. A marked increase occurs in March, reaching an extreme level of 11, which continues to escalate until May when it peaks at 14—the highest risk months are March to July. During this time, the burn time decreases to just 10 minutes, underscoring the urgency for protection. As summer wanes into August and September, the Index remains elevated but slightly decreases to 12 and 11 respectively. Moving into the fall, the UV Index drops to 9 in October (very high) with a burn time of 15 minutes, before falling back to high levels in November and moderate in December. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautionary measures—such as wearing sunscreen, hats, and protective clothing—especially between March and September, to mitigate the risks of harmful UV exposure.
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 |
| 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 |
| Zurmat | 6 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 5 |