Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors of Oak Bay, Canada, a picturesque coastal community known for its stunning natural beauty. With maximum UV levels reaching as high as 9 during midday, staying informed about these fluctuations is vital for sunburn prevention and long-term skin health. Given Oak Bay's Csb climate, characterized by mild summers and plenty of sunshine, awareness of UV exposure risks becomes even more important. Protecting yourself from harmful UV rays allows for safe enjoyment of the outdoors, helping you make the most of this beautiful location while keeping your skin safe and healthy.
The UV Index on this particular day begins its ascent at 07:00 with a moderate level of 1, gradually rising to 2 by 08:00. As the sun reaches its peak, the index climbs steadily, hitting 3 at 09:00 and soaring to a striking 5 by 10:00. The day’s intensity peaks at 12:00, with the UV Index at a sizzling 8. Just an hour later, it reaches its maximum of 9 at 13:00, signaling a time when sun protection is crucial. Thankfully, the intensity starts to wane after this peak, coming down to 8 at 14:00, and then gradually decreasing to 4 by 17:00. As evening approaches, the UV Index dips back to 2 at 18:00 and finally settles at 1 by 19:00, marking the end of a day filled with varying levels of UV exposure. Be sure to take precautions during those midday hours to shield yourself from the sun’s rays!
| 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 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 9 | 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 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
As the seasons change, so do UV levels, significantly impacting sun exposure and skin safety for visitors and residents. January to March sees a gradual increase in UV Index, peaking with a moderate level in March at 5, where the burn time decreases to 30 minutes. The high-risk months, characterized by extremely high levels of UV radiation, are May through August, with indices soaring to 9 and enforcing a burn time of just 15 minutes. Following this, September presents a moderate risk with an index of 7, and a burn time of 25 minutes, before dropping again in October with a moderate index of 5. November and December then return to lower risks, emphasizing a UV Index of 2 and 1, respectively, allowing for longer safe exposure times of 45 minutes. To minimize the risk of UV-related harm, visitors and residents should take extra precautions during the high-risk months by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and limiting sun exposure during peak hours.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Oak Bay | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 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 |