Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Salah, Algeria, understanding the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin and overall health. With UV levels peaking at a staggering 12 during midday hours, awareness of these readings can help prevent painful sunburns and long-term skin damage. In Salah's arid BWh climate typically subjects residents and visitors to intense sun exposure, making it essential to stay informed about daily UV levels. By keeping an eye on the UV Index, you can enjoy the outdoors safely while taking the necessary precautions against harmful rays.
The UV Index throughout the day presents a vivid picture of sun intensity. In the early morning, starting at 07:00, the index is a gentle 1, gradually rising to 2 by 08:00. The real surge begins at 09:00, where it climbs to 4, reaching a peak of 12 around 13:00. Noteworthy are the hours between 11:00 and 14:00, when the index soars, hitting a maximum of 11 at 12:00 before slightly easing to 11 again by 14:00. As afternoon turns to evening, the UV levels decrease significantly, dropping to 8 by 15:00, and falling further to 1 by 19:00. This data emphasizes the importance of sun protection during midday hours when the UV radiation is at its strongest.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV levels exhibit significant seasonal fluctuations, with the highest intensity occurring in the late spring and summer months. March marks the beginning of very high UV exposure, with an index of 10, followed by April and May at 11, classified as extreme, where the burn time is reduced to just 10 minutes. June maintains this extreme category with a peak UV index of 12, while July and August remain at 11. The risk begins to diminish in September and October, where the UV index drops to 10 and 8, respectively, but still poses a very high risk of harm. Visitors and residents should exercise caution from March through October, especially during the extreme months of April to August. It is advisable to wear protective clothing, seek shade, and apply sunscreen regularly, even on cloudy days, to minimize the risk of skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algiers UVI | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Boumerdas UVI | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Constantine UVI | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| Oran UVI | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| Tebessa UVI | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| In Salah | 6 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 |