Last updated: May 3, 2025
In Zongping, China, being aware of the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and overall health. Understanding UV levels can significantly reduce the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage, especially as the region experiences high UV exposure, particularly in the summer months. With Zongping's Cfa climate, characterized by warm, humid summers, residents and visitors alike should be mindful of the fluctuating UV index throughout the day—reaching a peak of 12 around noon. By staying informed, you can enjoy the outdoors while taking the necessary precautions to keep your skin safe from harmful rays.
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, 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 |
| Zongping | 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 |