Last updated: August 1, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is essential for residents and visitors in Xiaojiangkou, China, where high levels of ultraviolet radiation can pose serious risks to skin health. With a humid subtropical climate, the city experiences elevated UV levels, especially during midday, making it crucial to pay attention to the daily UV forecasts. Knowing the UV Index can help you prevent sunburn and mitigate long-term skin damage, empowering you to enjoy the beautiful sunny days while staying safe. With maximum UV levels soaring as high as 13 during peak hours, understanding these variations is key to protecting yourself and ensuring your outdoor activities remain healthy and enjoyable.
The UV Index rises sharply as the day progresses, peaking in the early afternoon. At 07:00, it starts at a mild 1, but by 09:00, it escalates to 5, signaling the arrival of more intense sunlight. 10:00 sees the index reach 8, and by 11:00, it hits a formidable 11, indicating high exposure risk. Just one hour later, the UV Index reaches its zenith at 12:00 with a striking 12, and the maximum is recorded at 13:00 at 13. However, after this peak, UV levels begin to descend, dropping to 11 by 14:00, and gradually falling to 8 at 15:00. As the sun sets, the UV Index dwindles to 5 by 16:00, and finally tapers off to 3 at 17:00, before returning to a safe 1 from 18:00 onwards. It's a day to heed sun safety, particularly 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 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Seasonal UV changes indicate a significant increase in UV Index from January to July, with the highest levels occurring during the summer months of May to July, which are categorized as extreme (UV Index levels 11-13). The high-risk months for UV exposure are March through August, particularly when UV levels reach very high and extreme ranges. During these periods, burn times are notably short, with only 10-15 minutes recommended for safe sun exposure. Visitors and residents should take precautions by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak sunlight hours to minimize the risk of skin damage. As the year progresses into October and November, UV exposure decreases, but caution should still be maintained in January and February, where high UV levels persist.
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 |
| Xiaojiangkou | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 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 |