Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Baotou, China is crucial for protecting your skin and overall health, especially given the city's semi-arid climate. With UV levels peaking between 12 PM and 2 PM—reaching a maximum index of 10—the sun's rays can pose significant risks, including sunburn and long-term skin damage. Being aware of these levels allows residents and visitors to take preventative measures against harmful exposure, ensuring that outdoor activities remain safe and enjoyable. Remember, even a low UV Index can lead to skin issues, so check the daily UV forecast and stay protected!
As the sun rises, the UV Index steadily climbs, beginning at a gentle 1 at 07:00. By mid-morning, it peeks to a moderate 5 at 09:00, but the real intensity hits during the late morning hours. At 11:00, the index reaches a striking 9, peaking at a maximum of 10 from 12:00 to 13:00—ideal conditions for sun lovers, but caution is advised! As afternoon rolls in, the UV levels gracefully decline, tapering to 7 by 15:00 and then steadily dropping to 1 by 19:00. This data highlights the importance of protecting your skin during the peak hours of 11:00 to 13:00, ensuring a safe and enjoyable day under the sun.
| 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 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index shows significant seasonal changes that require awareness from both visitors and residents. From January to February, the UV exposure remains in the moderate category (Index 3-4), allowing for a burn time of up to 30 minutes. However, as March approaches, the index climbs to high at 6, reducing safe exposure to 25 minutes. The months of April through August are crucial high-risk periods, with April and May classified as very high (UV Index 9-10), and June and July reaching extreme levels (UV Index 11), where safe exposure diminishes to just 10 minutes. The UV Index begins to taper off in September at 8 very high and October at 6 high, before descending to moderate in November (UV Index 3) and low in December (UV Index 2), where one can safely spend 45 minutes in the sun. To protect oneself during high-risk months, it is advisable to wear protective clothing, apply sunscreen, and limit sun exposure, particularly during peak 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 |
| Baotou | 3 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 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 |
| 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 |