Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Chatham, Canada, staying informed about the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and overall health. Understanding UV levels helps residents anticipate sun exposure and prevents painful sunburns, which can lead to long-term skin damage. With a Dfb climate, Chatham typically experiences varying UV exposure throughout the day, peaking around noon with an index as high as 10. By being aware of these UV levels, you can enjoy the outdoors safely and effectively safeguard your skin from harmful rays.
The UV Index throughout the day presents a clear narrative of rising intensity, peaking in the afternoon. Starting at 1 by 07:00, the UV levels gradually ascend, reaching 5 by 10:00. By 11:00, the index climbs to 7, and it soars to a striking 10 at 13:00—the optimal time for sun precautions. The intensity slightly wanes thereafter, dropping to 9 at 14:00 and continuing down to 4 by 17:00. As evening approaches, the UV Index dwindles to 1 by 19:00, signaling a return to safer levels. This data underscores the importance of sun safety measures during peak hours, particularly between 11:00 and 14:00.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 8 | very high | 15 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 |
Seasonal variations in the UV Index highlight key months for sun safety. January and December present low exposure levels with UV Index values of 2, allowing for safe, extended outdoor activities; however, February and March see a rise to a moderate index of 5, reducing burn time to 30 minutes. The critical period for high UV exposure occurs from April to August, marked by a very high index ranging from 8 to 10, where even brief sun exposure (as little as 15 minutes) can lead to skin damage. September declines to an 8, then drops to 6 in October, transitioning to high and moderate levels in the fall and winter months, respectively. November returns to a moderate index of 4. Visitors and residents are advised to practice sun safety with protective gear and sunblock, particularly during the high-risk months of April through August, to minimize UV-related health risks.
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 |
| 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 |
| Chatham | 2 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 |