Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Phuntsholing, Bhutan, understanding the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin and overall health. With the sun reaching its peak intensity around noon, awareness of UV levels can help prevent painful sunburns and long-term skin damage. This charming town experiences a Cwa climate, which means that while warm summers provide ample sunshine, they also pose significant UV exposure risks, particularly during the midday hours when the UV Index can soar to a maximum of 13. By staying informed about the daily UV readings, residents and visitors can enjoy the outdoors with confidence, ensuring sun safety is a priority throughout the year.
At sunrise, the UV Index starts off relatively mild at 4 around 07:00. By 08:00, it climbs to 7, making it a good time for sun protection. The intensity peaks at 12 by 10:00, reaching a high of 13 by 11:00, indicating the need for sunscreen and hats. As the afternoon progresses, the UV Index begins to drop, falling to 9 by 13:00 and further decreasing to 6 at 14:00. A noticeable decline continues into the late afternoon, with levels dropping to 4 by 15:00 and plummeting to 1 by 17:00. Finally, by 18:00, the UV Index falls to 0, signaling a safe end to sun exposure for the day. Keep this in mind when planning outdoor activities!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 08:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 09:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 10:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 11:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index exhibits notable seasonal changes, with higher levels during the summer months. The high-risk months for UV exposure are from March to September, where the index peaks at 14 in July, indicating an extreme risk level with a burn time of only 10 minutes. Visitors and residents alike should take precautions during these months, such as seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and using sunscreen with a high SPF to mitigate the effects of UV radiation. Notably, even in October and November, the UV levels remain significant, urging continued vigilance. As UV intensity tends to decrease moving into winter, January and December present moderate to high exposure levels, but caution is still recommended. Staying informed and proactive about sun safety will ensure a healthier outdoor experience all year round.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phuntsholing | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Pemagatshel UVI | 6 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 6 |
| Tsirang UVI | 6 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 6 |
| Punakha UVI | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 6 |
| Thimphu UVI | 8 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 7 |