Last updated: August 1, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for anyone living in or visiting Zhangjiashan, China, where the subtropical Cfa climate brings warm summers and substantial sun exposure. As UV levels can peak dramatically throughout the day—reaching up to 12 around noon—awareness of these levels is essential for protecting your skin and preventing sunburn. By being informed about the UV Index, residents and visitors can enjoy outdoor activities while taking the necessary precautions to maintain skin health and overall well-being. With potential risks heightened during the sun's most intense hours, it's vital to stay vigilant and safeguard against harmful UV rays.
During the morning hours, the UV Index starts off low at 1 at 7:00 AM, indicating minimal risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. As the day progresses, the intensity ramps up, peaking at 12 around 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM, suggesting a high risk for harm, especially for those spending extended periods outdoors. Post-peak, the index gradually declines, dropping to 7 at 3:00 PM and further down to 1 by 7:00 PM, which indicates a return to minimal risk as the sun sets. For sun enthusiasts, midday offers the most intense UV radiation, making sun protection essential during those hours!
| 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 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 10 | 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 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index experiences notable fluctuations throughout the year, with the highest values occurring from March to September. During these months, particularly from May to August, the UV Index reaches an extreme level of 12, indicating a significant risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure with a burn time as low as 10 minutes. High-risk months include March (9), April (10), and October (9), where the exposure is categorized as very high and the burn time is reduced to 15 minutes. Residents and visitors are strongly advised to take precautions during these periods, such as wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and sunglasses, and seeking shade during peak sun hours to minimize the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage. As winter approaches, the UV index gradually decreases, with December recording a moderate level of 5, allowing for more relaxed sun exposure guidelines.
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 |
| Zhangjiashan | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 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 |