Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Shangqiao, China, as it helps safeguard against harmful ultraviolet radiation and promotes overall skin health. With peak UV levels reaching as high as 11 around midday, awareness of these variations is key for sunburn prevention and reducing long-term skin damage. Situated in a Cwa climate zone, Shangqiao experiences distinct seasons, leading to fluctuating UV exposure risks throughout the year. By monitoring the UV Index, you can enjoy the beautiful sunny days while effectively protecting your skin!
The UV Index begins the day at a gentle 1 at 7:00 AM, ideal for early risers enjoying the outdoors. As the sun climbs, the index steadily rises, reaching 3 by 8:00 AM and hitting 5 at 9:00 AM. It's 10:00 AM when things heat up, peaking at a striking 11 by noon, making it crucial to take precautions. The UV Index holds steady at this maximum of 11 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, signaling extreme exposure levels. Following this hour, conditions begin to cool down with a decline to 9 by 2:00 PM and tapering to 4 by 4:00 PM. As the day winds down, the index drops sharply to 1 by 6:00 PM, providing a gentle close to the day's UV exposure. Adapting outdoor activities in line with these UV fluctuations is essential for skin health!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV levels experience notable seasonal fluctuations, impacting the risk of sun exposure. From January to February, the UV Index is moderate (4-5), allowing for a burn time of 30 minutes without protection. As spring approaches, March sees an increase to a high level (7) with a reduced burn time of 25 minutes. The summer months, particularly June and July, present the highest UV levels, reaching an extreme index of 11 in July, where protective measures are crucial, and burn time is reduced to just 10 minutes. August and September maintain very high indices (9-10), with burn times of 15 minutes. As autumn arrives, the UV levels begin to drop, with November returning to moderate levels (5) and December hitting a low of 3. Given these patterns, it is advisable for visitors and residents to be especially vigilant during the high-risk months of April through September and to utilize sunscreen, protective clothing, andSeek shade whenever possible, particularly during peak sun hours.
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 |
| Shangqiao | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 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 |