Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Laocheng, China is crucial for safeguarding your skin and overall health. By staying informed about UV levels, residents and visitors can effectively prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage, especially during the peak hours when UV exposure can reach dangerous highs. Laocheng's semi-arid climate (BSk) brings sunny days with varying UV risks, especially from 10 AM to 2 PM when the index can soar to 11, indicating a very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Equip yourself with knowledge to enjoy the sun safely!
As the sun rises, the UV Index starts at a mild 1 at 7:00 AM, perfect for early risers. By 8:00 AM, it increases to a moderate 3, hinting at the day ahead. Things heat up quickly, with the index peaking at an intense 11 around 12:00 PM, a reminder that sun protection is essential during midday. The UV levels maintain a strong presence, remaining at 10 at 1:00 PM before gradually tapering off to 9 by 2:00 PM. As the afternoon wanes, the UV Index drops to a cozy 6 at 3:00 PM and further descends to 4 by 4:00 PM. By the evening, the sun loses its intensity, with the index falling to 2 at 5:00 PM, and settling back to a safe 1 from 6:00 PM onward. This daily cycle underscores the importance of being sun smart, especially during peak hours!
| 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 | 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 | 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 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index fluctuates significantly, indicating varying levels of sun exposure risk. From January to February, the UV Index remains moderate (3-4), allowing for about 30 minutes of sun exposure without risk of burning. Transitioning into March, the index rises to 6 (high), reducing safe exposure to 25 minutes. The real risk emerges from April to August, when the index spikes, peaking in July at 11 (extreme), with a mere 10 minutes of safe exposure, highlighting this as a high-risk month for sunburn and skin damage. Following this peak, the index gradually declines from August to October, maintaining a very high category before falling back to moderate levels in the late fall and winter. To ensure safety, visitors and residents are advised to practice sun safety, particularly during the high-risk months of April through August, by seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying broad-spectrum sunscreen regularly.
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 |
| Laocheng | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 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 |