Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Xiaoya, China, understanding the UV Index is essential for safeguarding your skin and overall health. The UV Index provides valuable information about the sun's strength and potential risks for skin damage, making it crucial for sunburn prevention and long-term skin health. With Xiaoya's humid subtropical climate (Cfa), residents and visitors often face elevated UV exposure, especially during the peak hours around midday, where the Index can soar to a maximum of 13. Staying informed about UV levels helps you take proactive steps to protect yourself from harmful rays, ensuring you enjoy the sun safely.
The UV Index undergoes a notable progression throughout the day, beginning at a gentle 1 at 07:00, before gradually rising to a moderate 2 by 08:00. As the sun ascends, the index climbs sharply, peaking at a dizzying 13 around 13:00—a clear indication that sun protection is essential during these hours. From this pinnacle, the UV Index begins its descent, tapering off to a 9 at 15:00 and finally dwindling to 1 by the evening hours of 18:00 and 19:00. With this data in mind, it's crucial to enjoy the outdoors safely, particularly between 11:00 and 14:00, when the sun's rays are at their most intense.
| 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 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 17:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV Index levels vary significantly, peaking during the summer months. January starts with a high UV Index of 6, with a burn time of 25 minutes, but by February and March, it escalates to 8 and 9, respectively, both categorized as very high, and reducing burn time to 15 minutes. As we transition into April and May, the UV Index hits an extreme level of 12, where the burn time shortens to just 10 minutes. This extreme level continues through July and August, maintaining a UV Index of 13. September sees a slight decline to 11 but remains in the extreme category, while October returns to very high at 10. November and December finally give a reprieve with lower indices of 7 and 5, respectively. Therefore, the high-risk months for sun exposure are from April to September, where the UV Index is at its highest, urging visitors and residents to take protective measures, such as wearing sunscreen, sunglasses, and protective clothing, and limiting sun exposure during peak hours for safety.
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 |
| Xiaoya | 6 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 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 |