Last updated: May 3, 2025
In Malmedy, Belgium, staying informed about the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays. Understanding UV levels helps in preventing sunburn and long-term skin damage, allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors safely. With a Cfb climate, Malmedy typically experiences moderate UV exposure, but peak hours—from 10 AM to 3 PM—show significantly elevated levels, reaching up to 8 on the UV scale. Awareness of these fluctuations can empower residents and visitors alike to take necessary precautions, ensuring sun safety while basking in the beauty of this charming region.
The UV Index throughout the day presents a clear trajectory of intensity as the sun ascends in the sky. Starting early at 07:00 with a mild 1, the index gradually rises, reaching 2 by 09:00. It makes a significant leap at 10:00, hitting 4, but it’s not until 12:00 that the sun reaches its zenith with an impressive peak of 7. The index hits its maximum at 13:00 with an 8, emphasizing the need for sun protection during this peak hour. As the afternoon progresses, it gently declines; by 16:00, it drops to 5, and continues to wane, settling back to 1 by 19:00. This pattern emphasizes the importance of awareness and protection from harmful UV rays, particularly in the midday hours.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 13:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index demonstrates significant seasonal variations, indicating changes in sun exposure risk throughout the year. From January to April, the UV levels remain low to moderate, with the highest burn time of 45 minutes in January and November. However, the risk escalates markedly in May and June, where UV Index values reach 8 and 9 respectively, categorizing these months as very high risk, with a drastically reduced burn time of just 15 minutes. The summer months of July and August maintain high levels of UV exposure, registering UV indices of 8 and 7. As fall approaches, the UV Index gradually declines, with October recording a moderate level, and finally tapering back to low levels in November and December. Visitors and residents should exercise caution, particularly during the high-risk months of May through August, by applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak hours to minimize the potential for skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gent UVI | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Antwerpen UVI | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Brussels UVI | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Liege UVI | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Charleroi UVI | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Malmedy | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |