Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Laurentides, Canada, is crucial for protecting your skin and overall health. With the region's Dfb climate, residents and visitors alike face unique UV exposure challenges, especially during peak hours when the index can reach as high as 8. By being aware of UV levels, you can effectively prevent sunburn and mitigate long-term skin damage. This knowledge is particularly important in the Laurentides, where strong sun exposure can pose risks even on seemingly mild days. Stay informed and enjoy the outdoors safely!
From 07:00 to 19:00, the UV Index showcases a typical daily pattern, starting at a mild 1 and gradually climbing to a peak of 8 between 12:00 and 13:00. This midday surge indicates an elevated risk for sun exposure, with precautions strongly advised. As the sun begins to descend, the index gracefully tapers off, dropping back to 1 by 19:00, signaling a return to safer levels. Outdoor enthusiasts should plan their sun safety strategies around the peak hours of 10:00 to 14:00, when UV radiation is most intense.
| 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 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
As the seasons change, so do the UV levels, significantly impacting exposure risks for residents and visitors. January and December feature low UV indexes (2), allowing for extended safe exposure times of up to 45 minutes. By February and March, the UV index rises to moderate levels (3 and 5), reducing burn time to 30 minutes. The transition to April sees a notable increase to a high UV index of 7, further shortening safe exposure time to 25 minutes. The peak months for UV exposure occur from May to August, where the index reaches very high levels (8 and 9), drastically limiting safe sun exposure to just 15 minutes. September marks a slight decline with a high index of 7, while October and November revert to moderate levels (5 and 3) with 30 minutes of safe exposure. To safeguard against harmful UV rays, it is crucial for individuals to be particularly cautious during the high-risk months of April to August, using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade whenever possible.
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 |
| Laurentides | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| 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 |