Last updated: August 1, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is essential for residents and visitors in Zhoufang, China, where the warm Cfa climate brings plenty of sunshine but also significant UV exposure risks. Being aware of UV levels helps you protect your skin from harmful effects like sunburn and long-term damage, ensuring overall skin health. With peak UV Index values soaring to 12 during midday, it's crucial to grasp the timing and intensity of sunlight in Zhoufang to enjoy outdoor activities safely while safeguarding your skin against potential hazards.
The UV Index throughout the day displays a striking pattern of solar intensity. At 07:00, a gentle start with a UV Index of 1 gradually gives way to a more significant increase by 08:00, reaching 3. The peak intensity occurs from 11:00 to 13:00, where it soars to a maximum of 12, urging sun seekers to take heed and seek shade. As the afternoon progresses, the UV Index begins its descent, dropping to 9 at 14:00, and continuing to decline to 7 by 15:00. By 17:00, it drops to 2, and as the day winds down, it returns to low levels of 1 by 18:00 and approaches 0 by 19:00. This cycle emphasizes the importance of staying protected, especially during peak hours when the sun's rays are most potent.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 6 | 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 |
As the seasons change, so do the UV Index levels, significantly affecting sun exposure risk. From January to February, the UV Index remains high (6-7), with a burn time of approximately 25 minutes. However, by March and April, this escalates to very high (10), where the burn time drops to just 15 minutes. The peak risk months are from May to August, where the UV Index reaches an extreme level of 11-12, necessitating protective measures for as little as 10 minutes of sun exposure. In September and October, the index remains very high (10-8) with a burn time of 15 minutes, before dropping to high (7) in November and moderate (5) in December, where burn times increase to 25-30 minutes. Visitors and residents should be particularly vigilant during the summer months, applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade to minimize the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage.
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 |
| Zhoufang | 6 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 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 |