Last updated: June 2, 2025
In St. Sebastian, Austria, being aware of the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin. Understanding UV levels is essential for preventing sunburn and maintaining overall skin health, especially during the peak hours when the UV Index soars to 9 around midday. With a temperate climate characterized by warm summers, the risk of overexposure to harmful UV rays increases. Hence, staying informed about the UV Index can help residents and visitors enjoy the beautiful outdoors while protecting themselves from potential skin damage.
The UV Index throughout the day presents a clear pattern of intensity, peaking at midday. Starting from a mild level of 1 at 07:00, the index rises steadily, reaching 2 by 08:00. The real surge occurs between 09:00 and 13:00, where it escalates from 4 to a striking 9—the highest point of the day. As the afternoon unfolds, the intensity slightly declines to 7 at 15:00, before tapering off to 5 at 16:00. The evening sees a further decrease, settling back to 2 by 18:00 and returning to 1 at 19:00. For those enjoying outdoor activities, it’s essential to take precautions, especially during the peak hours from 11:00 to 14:00 when the UV rays are most potent.
| 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 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index undergoes significant changes, highlighting the varying levels of sun exposure risk for residents and visitors. January and December present the lowest UV levels (Index 2), categorized as low risk, with a burn time of 45 minutes. As we move into February (Index 3), the exposure risk becomes moderate, reducing the safe burn time to 30 minutes. The month of March marks the transition to high risk (Index 6), and this high category persists through April. The UV Index peaks during the summer months, particularly in May, June, and July, ranging from very high (Index 8 and 9) with an alarming burn time of just 15 minutes. August and September see a slight decline, yet remain in the very high/high category. As the weather cools in October and November, the risk decreases back to a moderate level. Visitors and residents are advised to take appropriate precautions, particularly during the high-risk months of March through September, by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade to minimize UV exposure.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vienna UVI | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Linz UVI | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Graz UVI | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| St. Sebastian | 2 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Salzburg UVI | 2 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Innsbruck UVI | 2 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |