Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Khenchela, Algeria is crucial for safeguarding your skin and overall health. High UV levels can lead to painful sunburns and long-term skin damage, making it essential to monitor these levels, especially during the sun's peak hours. Khenchela, with its semi-arid climate (BSk), sees significant UV exposure, particularly between late morning and early afternoon when the index can soar to 10. By staying informed about the UV Index, residents and visitors alike can take proactive steps to protect themselves and enjoy the sunny days without the risks associated with overexposure to the sun.
As the sun rises, the UV Index gradually transitions from a mild 1 at 07:00 to an invigorating 3 by 08:00. The peak UV intensity hits its stride between 12:00 and 13:00, reaching a striking 10, a clear call for sun protection. As the afternoon progresses, the index begins to decline, tapering off to 8 at 14:00, 6 at 15:00, and eventually settling to a gentle 2 by 17:00. By evening, the UV levels dip back down, returning to a safe 1, indicating it's time to relax and enjoy the cooler, softer light of sunset.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index experiences significant fluctuations, peaking during the summer months. From January to February, the UV Index remains in the moderate range (4 to 5), suggesting a burn time of about 30 minutes under sun exposure. As spring approaches, March to May sees a dramatic rise, with values reaching 8 to 10—categorizing these months as having very high UV levels and reducing burn time to just 15 minutes. The extreme UV conditions occur in June and July, where the index hits 12 and 11, respectively, necessitating careful sun protection measures within just 10 minutes of exposure. By August and September, the UV Index remains high (9 to 10), before tapering off in October (7, high) and returning to moderate levels by November and December. Visitors and residents are advised to take precautionary measures, especially during the high-risk months of March through September, including wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen, and seeking shade to minimize skin damage from the sun’s rays.
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 |
| Khenchela | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Tebessa UVI | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 |