Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is essential for residents of Shiqiang, China, particularly as the region's Cfa climate brings warm summers that can heighten sun exposure risks. With UV levels reaching a peak of 12 around noon, awareness of daily UV fluctuations is crucial for effective sunburn prevention and maintaining long-term skin health. By staying informed about the UV Index, you can better protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of excessive sun exposure, ensuring a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience in this beautiful locale.
At dawn, the UV Index starts off gently, peaking at just 1 by 7:00 AM. As the sun climbs higher, its intensity increases rapidly, reaching 4 by 9:00 AM and striking 10 by 11:00 AM—a clear warning to seek shade or slather on sunscreen. The highest reading of 12 occurs at both noon and 1:00 PM, indicating peak solar intensity. Fortunately, as afternoon approaches, the index begins to wane, dropping to 8 by 3:00 PM and further declining to below 5 by 4:00 PM. By the time 7:00 PM rolls around, the UV danger has diminished significantly, settling back to a safe 1. Stay protected during those intense midday hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index demonstrates significant seasonal changes, peaking during the summer months. From January to February, the UV Index ranges from 6 to 7, indicating a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure with a burn time of 25 minutes. As spring arrives in March, the index rises to 9 (very high) with a reduced burn time of 15 minutes, escalating to extreme levels (12) in April through June, where the burn time drops to just 10 minutes. July sees the peak UV Index of 13, before slightly declining to 12 in August. As we transition to fall, September and October remain very high with indexes of 10 and 9 respectively and a burn time of 15 minutes. By November, the levels decrease to 7 (high) and 5 (moderate) in December, extending burn times to 25 and 30 minutes. It’s essential for visitors and residents to stay vigilant, particularly from March to October, using sunscreen, seeking shade, and wearing protective clothing during peak UV hours to mitigate the risk of skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing UVI | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Chengdu UVI | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 4 |
| Shanghai UVI | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 4 |
| Shiqiang | 6 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 |
| Guangzhou UVI | 7 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Shenzhen UVI | 7 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 7 |