Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Caotan, China, understanding the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and maintaining overall health. The UV Index provides a daily forecast of the sun’s intensity, helping residents and visitors to gauge their risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage. Given Caotan's Cwa climate, characterized by hot summers and ample sunshine, UV exposure can reach dangerously high levels, particularly around midday when the index peaks at 13. By staying informed about UV levels, you can take proactive steps to enjoy the sun safely, ensuring that your outdoor activities don’t lead to unintended harm.
The UV Index for the day starts off mild, peaking at 1 at 7:00 AM, and gradually increases to a moderate level of 2 by 8:00 AM. As the sun climbs higher, the intensity rises sharply, reaching its maximum of 13 at 12:00 PM and sustaining this level until 1:00 PM, indicating a significant risk for sun exposure. Post noon, the UV Index begins to decline, dropping to 9 by 3:00 PM and further tapering off to a gentle 3 at 5:00 PM. By 6:00 PM, it settles back to a comfortable 1, perfect for evening strolls. This pattern highlights the importance of seeking shade and protection during the peak hours, especially between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM when the 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 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 9 | 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, UV exposure levels fluctuate significantly, with January and February marking the beginning of very high UV Index levels (8-10), where the recommended burn time is only 15 minutes. As spring approaches, March to May sees a shift to extreme levels, peaking at 14 in August, which means visitors and residents should exercise extreme caution, with burn times reduced to just 10 minutes during this critical period. After August, the UV Index begins to decline, but September through November still maintains extreme to high exposure levels, advising caution with burn times adjusting from 10 to 15 minutes. By December, the UV Index decreases to 7, requiring a longer burn time of 25 minutes. In summary, the highest risk months for UV exposure are from March to August, and it is crucial for everyone to protect their skin with appropriate clothing and sunscreen to prevent harmful effects from UV radiation.
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 |
| 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 |
| Caotan | 8 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 7 |