Last updated: May 3, 2025
In Zishui, China, understanding the UV Index is crucial for promoting sun safety and maintaining healthy skin. With UV levels reaching a peak of 10 from late morning to early afternoon—a time when sunburn risk significantly increases—awareness of UV exposure can help residents and visitors protect themselves from harmful effects. Zishui's Cfa climate brings warm summers that contribute to higher UV readings, making it essential to stay informed about daily fluctuations in UV levels. By keeping an eye on the UV Index, you can enjoy the outdoors while shielding your skin from damage and ensuring long-term health.
As the day unfolds, the UV Index rises sharply from a mild 1 at 7:00 AM to a peak of 10 between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, signaling the sun's intense rays during midday. The UV levels then begin to taper off, dropping back to 8 by 2:00 PM and further decreasing to 6 at 3:00 PM. By the evening hours, the index returns to a low of 1 by 7:00 PM, marking a considerable drop from the earlier peak. It's essential to stay sun-safe during those peak hours when the UV exposure is at its highest!
| 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 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
As the seasons change, so do the UV Index values, significantly impacting sun safety for both visitors and residents. January and February start with a moderate UV Index of 5, allowing for about 30 minutes of safe sun exposure. However, as spring approaches, March through May sees a dramatic increase, with the UV Index reaching 8 and escalating to 10, corresponding to a very high category and necessitating limited exposure to just 15 minutes. The summer months of July and August present the most direct sunlight with extreme UV Index levels of 11, where even 10 minutes can lead to burns. As fall arrives, September maintains a high UV Index of 10, while October sees a slight decrease to 8, both remaining in the very high exposure category. Finally, the year concludes with lower UV levels, returning to moderate values in November (5) and December (4), where time spent in the sun can safely increase back to 30 minutes. To ensure safety, all individuals are advised to monitor the UV Index closely, especially from March through October, and to seek shade, wear protective clothing, and apply sunscreen during high-risk months.
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 |
| Zishui | 5 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| 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 |