Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents of Lac La Biche, Canada, as it helps gauge the intensity of ultraviolet radiation from the sun and its potential effects on skin health. With peak UV levels reaching 7 during midday, awareness of these readings is essential to prevent sunburn and prolonged skin damage. Given Lac La Biche's Dfc climate zone, which features cool summers and variable sunlight exposure, understanding UV levels is particularly important for outdoor activities, ensuring that you enjoy the great Canadian outdoors safely while protecting your skin. Stay informed and keep your skin healthy by checking the UV Index daily!
At dawn, the UV Index begins gently at 1 by 7:00 AM, ideal for a leisurely start. As the sun rises higher, the intensity increases, reaching 2 by 8:00 AM and climbing steadily to 4 by 10:00 AM. By 11:00 AM, it peaks at 5, signaling the sun’s growing strength. The afternoon sees an impressive UV index of 7 at 12:00 PM, maintaining this level until 2:00 PM—a prime time for outdoor activities, but remember to protect your skin! As the day winds down, the index gradually declines, dropping to 6 at 3:00 PM and then tapering off to 4 by 5:00 PM, finally falling back to 2 by 6:00 PM and 1 again at 7:00 PM. It becomes clear: while midday brings the most sun strength, the shifting UV conditions throughout the day remind us to stay safe and enjoy the great outdoors responsibly!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 13:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 14:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 6 | 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 |
Throughout the year, the UV Index experiences notable fluctuations, indicating varying levels of sun exposure risk. January and February see low UV levels (1-2), allowing for a safe burn time of 45 minutes. As spring approaches, March and April bring moderate levels (4-5) with reduced burn times of 30 minutes. The highest risk occurs in the summer months, particularly July, when the UV Index peaks at 8, categorizing it as very high, and necessitating a cautious burn time of only 15 minutes. May and June also pose high risks (UV Index 7) with burn times of 25 minutes. As summer fades into fall, August and September maintain high levels, but the risk decreases in October to a moderate index (3). Finally, November and December drop back to low UV levels (1), allowing for prolonged exposure without significant risk. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take protective measures, particularly during the high-risk months of May through September, by wearing sunscreen, hats, and protective clothing to mitigate the risks associated with UV exposure.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lac La Biche | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 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 |