Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents of Drayton Valley, Canada, where the seasonal climate can expose you to varying levels of ultraviolet radiation. With peak UV exposure generally occurring between 11 AM and 3 PM, awareness of these levels is essential for sunburn prevention and maintaining long-term skin health. Drayton Valley's Dfb climate zone offers a unique blend of sunny days, making it important to recognize when outdoor activities might elevate your risk of skin damage. By staying informed about the UV levels, you can enjoy the outdoors safely while protecting your skin from harmful effects.
The UV Index for the day presents an interesting pattern as it steadily climbs from early morning to reach its peak at 1 PM, hitting a notable 8. Starting at a muted 1 at 7 AM and 8 AM, the intensity ramps up to 2 by 9 AM. 10 AM marks the first significant increase to 4, and by 11 AM, it rises to 6. The sun’s rays are at their most intense from 12 PM to 2 PM, where the index remains at 7 and 8, respectively. As the afternoon progresses, the UV Index begins to taper off, dropping to 6 at 4 PM, and settling down to 2 by 7 PM. This data underscores the importance of sun protection during the midday hours when UV radiation poses the greatest risk.
| 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 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 17:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 19:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index exhibits significant seasonal fluctuations, with the highest exposure levels occurring during the summer months. From May to August, the UV Index peaks at 7 to 8, categorizing these months as high to very high risk for sunburn, with burn times as low as 15 minutes in July. Visitors and residents are particularly advised to take precautions during these months, including seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen frequently. Conversely, the winter and early spring months (January, November, and December) present a much lower risk with UV Index values ranging from 1 to 2 and burn times extending to 45 minutes. Overall, while UV exposure increases steadily from February onwards, the most critical months for sun safety are June to August; vigilant sun protection during this time is essential.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drayton Valley | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Edmonton UVI | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Calgary UVI | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Montreal UVI | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Ottawa UVI | 2 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Toronto UVI | 2 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |