Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Jiuquan, China, being aware of the UV Index is crucial for everyone who enjoys spending time outdoors. Understanding UV levels is essential for sunburn prevention and protecting skin health, especially given the region's arid climate characteristic of the BWk zone, which can intensify sun exposure. During peak hours, such as between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, the UV Index exceeds 10, indicating a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. This awareness empowers residents and visitors to take necessary precautions, ensuring safe and enjoyable experiences under the sun.
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins its ascent, reaching 1 by 07:00. By 08:00, it climbs to 2, signaling the start of the day’s UV exposure. Things heat up quickly, reaching 4 at 09:00 and then jumping to 6 by 10:00. The intensity peaks dramatically at 12:00, hitting 11, and just an hour later, 13:00, it reaches its maximum of 12. This high level continues until 14:00, where it remains steady. As the afternoon progresses, the UV Index begins to decline: jotting down to 10 at 15:00, then 8 at 16:00, and tapering off to 5 by 17:00. By the evening hours, it gently reduces to 3 at 18:00 and settles back to 1 by 19:00. This cycle underscores the importance of sun safety during peak hours, especially between 11:00 and 14:00 when UV exposure is at its strongest.
| 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 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 17:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index exhibits notable seasonal fluctuations, affecting burn times and exposure categories. From March to August, UV levels peak, reaching extreme levels of 12, particularly in May, June, and July, where the burn time is reduced to just 10 minutes. April also presents very high risk with an index of 10, while March starts the high-risk period at 8. As summer ends in September, the index decreases to 9 (very high), followed by a gradual decline through October (6 - high) and into the cooler months of November and December (moderate levels of 4 and 3, respectively). Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautionary measures during the high-risk months of March through September, particularly during midday hours, by wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade to minimize the risk of harmful UV exposure.
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 |
| Jiuquan | 3 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| 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 |
| 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 |