Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is vital for residents of Zudun, China, where the climate features a humid subtropical environment and can lead to high UV exposure, especially during the midday hours. Being aware of UV levels is crucial for preventing sunburn and promoting long-term skin health, as the UV Index often peaks at a striking 12 around noon, indicating an extreme risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. As Zudun experiences significant sunlight throughout the year, keeping track of the UV Index empowers locals to take protective measures, ensuring fun in the sun doesn’t lead to unwanted skin damage.
The UV Index provides a vital insight into sun exposure throughout the day, peaking during the late morning to early afternoon hours. At 07:00, it starts off low at 2, but by 08:00, it rises to 4, indicating increasing sun intensity. The real surge happens between 09:00 and 12:00, where it climbs dramatically to a maximum of 12 at 11:00 and 12:00. As the sun begins to dip after 13:00, the index gradually decreases to 11 at 1 PM and gently tapers off to 9 at 2 PM. By 3 PM, it continues to decline to 6, and by the evening, it reaches a minimal 1 at both 5 PM and 6 PM, finally falling to 0 by 7 PM. This hourly breakdown urges us to protect our skin during the peak hours, especially when the index hits its zenith.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV radiation levels demonstrate significant seasonal variation, peaking during the summer months. High-risk months for UV exposure are March through September, where the UV Index consistently falls within the extreme category, necessitating minimal safe exposure times of just 10 minutes. February, October, and November follow with their very high UV Indexes, allowing slightly longer safe exposure of 15 minutes. Visitors and residents are advised to take precautions during these high-risk periods, including wearing protective clothing, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF, and seeking shade during peak sunlight hours, typically between 10 AM and 4 PM. As UV levels drop in January and December, individuals should remain vigilant but can enjoy slightly longer burn times of 25 minutes.
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 |
| Zudun | 6 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 6 |
| 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 |