Last updated: May 3, 2025
In St. Albert, Canada, being aware of the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin and overall health. Understanding the daily UV levels, which can peak at a critical 7 during the midday hours, helps residents take proactive measures against sunburn and long-term skin damage. With its Dfb climate, St. Albert experiences varying levels of UV exposure throughout the year, particularly during summer when the sun's rays can be intense. By staying informed and adjusting your sun protection strategies accordingly, you can enjoy the beautiful outdoors while keeping your skin safe!
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins its gentle ascent, peaking at 07:00 with a low score of 1. By 09:00, it approaches moderate levels, reaching 2. The real magic happens between 10:00 and 13:00, where the index climbs sharply, hitting 6 at 12:00 and peaking at 7 during 13:00. From here, we see a gradual decline: a drop to 6 at 15:00, settling into the 5 range by the late afternoon. As the day winds down, the UV levels decrease further, falling back to 2 by 18:00, and finally resting at 1 as daylight fades into evening. Stay protected! Remember, the sun's rays are most potent during 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 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 6 | 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, UV radiation levels vary significantly, peaking during the summer months. January and February have low to moderate UV indices (2 and 3 respectively), with a burn time of 45 and 30 minutes, suggesting that exposure is relatively safer. However, as March arrives, the UV Index climbs to 5, indicating a moderate risk. The high-risk months are from April to August, where the UV index reaches levels of 6 to 8, and burn times shrink to as little as 15 minutes in July, emphasizing the need for protection during this time. As September and October roll in, UV exposure decreases but remains significant, making it advisable for residents and visitors to be mindful of sun protection measures especially from April through August. To minimize the risk of skin damage, wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak hours is highly recommended.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Albert | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 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 |