Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is essential for residents and visitors of Gaotuan, China, where the combination of a humid subtropical climate and high sun exposure can lead to increased risks of skin damage. As UV levels can soar as high as 11 during peak hours, awareness of these levels plays a critical role in preventing sunburn and safeguarding long-term skin health. With average UV indices peaking around midday, it's vital to be proactive about sun protection to enjoy the beauty of Gaotuan’s sunny days while minimizing the risk of harmful effects from excessive UV radiation.
The UV Index throughout the day showcases a clear pattern of rising and falling intensity. Starting at a mild 2 at 7:00 AM, the levels climb steadily, peaking at 11 by noon—the most intense period of sunlight. As the afternoon progresses, the index remains high, tapering off to 10 at 1:00 PM, before gradually descending. By 3:00 PM, it drops to 5, and the evening settles in with indices of 3 at 4:00 PM, and a gentle decline to 1 by 7:00 PM. This progression highlights the importance of sun protection during peak hours—particularly between 10 AM and 2 PM—when the UV exposure is at its highest.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 9 | 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 | 5 | moderate | 30 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 |
Throughout the year, the UV Index displays significant seasonal variations, peaking during the summer months. From January to February, the UV Index remains moderate (3-4), allowing for approximately 30 minutes of safe sun exposure. As we enter March, the risk escalates to high (6), reducing safe burn time to 25 minutes. The months of April through July experience very high (8-10) UV levels, with burn times decreasing to just 15 minutes. Notably, August sees the highest UV Index at 11, categorized as extreme, which calls for extreme caution with a burn time of only 10 minutes. In September, the UV levels decline slightly but remain very high (8), while they further drop to high (6) in October. By November and December, conditions revert to moderate (3-4) with burn times back to 30 minutes. Visitors and residents should exercise caution and consider protective measures, particularly from April to September, when the risk of sunburn and UV exposure is at its highest.
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 |
| Gaotuan | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| 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 |