Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Zhetang, China, is crucial for protecting your skin from harmful ultraviolet radiation. With a climate classified as Cfa, residents and visitors alike can encounter significant UV exposure, especially during the sun's peak hours. Being aware of UV levels can help prevent sunburn and promote overall skin health, allowing you to enjoy outdoor activities safely. During the day, UV Index values can soar as high as 11 around noon, underscoring the importance of monitoring these levels to safeguard your well-being under the sun.
The UV Index paints a vivid picture of the sun's intensity throughout the day. Starting with a gentle 2 at 7:00 AM, the index climbs steadily, reaching 3 by 8:00 AM. As the sun rises higher, it peaks at an impressive 11 at noon, signaling a time when sun protection is crucial. The index begins to taper off in the afternoon, with readings of 10 at 1:00 PM and 8 at 2:00 PM, before gradually decreasing to 6 at 3:00 PM. By late afternoon, the UV Index returns to a more moderate 3 at 4:00 PM, and continues to decline, settling at 1 by 6:00 PM. It’s clear that the midday sun demands respect, making awareness of UV levels essential for outdoor safety.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 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 does the UV Index, reflecting the varying intensity of ultraviolet radiation throughout the year. January and December experience moderate UV levels, with burn times of 30 minutes, while February sees an increase to high levels, prompting reduced exposure of just 25 minutes. The high-risk months are from March to August, where the UV Index peaks at 11 during June and July, classifying these months as having extreme exposure risk and requiring careful management of sun exposure, with a burn time of only 10 minutes. Visitors and residents should ideally plan outdoor activities for early mornings or late afternoons, seek shade during peak sun hours, and use sun protection, such as broad-spectrum sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses, particularly during March through August when burn times are significantly shorter. As fall and winter approach, the UV index gradually decreases, making outdoor time less risky, but caution is still advised during the transitional 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 |
| Zhetang | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 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 |