Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents of Hubei, China, where the summer sun can pose significant risks to skin health. With peak UV levels soaring to 12 during midday hours, it's essential to be aware of these readings to prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage. Hubei's Dwb climate brings warm summers and varying UV exposure, making it vital for locals to stay informed about daily UV levels. By knowing when the sun's rays are strongest, you can take proactive steps to protect yourself and enjoy the sunshine safely.
The UV Index climbs steadily throughout the morning, peaking at 12 around 1:00 PM, signaling a strong potential for skin damage without protection. Starting from a low of 1 at 7:00 AM, the index escalates, reaching a moderate 8 by 10:00 AM. As the sun hits its zenith, the index then soars to an impressive 11 at noon, before slightly dipping to 10 by 2:00 PM. By late afternoon, the index begins to decline, dropping to 5 by 4:00 PM, and tapering off to 3 by 5:00 PM, with the evening returning to a gentle 1. It's essential to stay covered and protected during those peak hours when UV exposure is at its highest!
| 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 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index experiences significant seasonal variation, highlighting varying levels of sun exposure risk. January and February present moderate risk (UV Index 3 and 5, respectively), with a burn time of 30 minutes. As spring approaches, March escalates to high risk (UV Index 6) with a reduced burn time of 25 minutes. The summer months mark the peak UV exposure, reaching extreme levels with the highest index of 12 in July, where the burn time drops to just 10 minutes. April and May also present very high to extreme risks, making these months the most critical for sun exposure. August sees a slight decline, yet remains at an extreme level (UV Index 11). As fall arrives, the UV Index decreases, but September and October still pose very high and high risks, respectively. Visitors and residents are advised to take proactive sun protection measures from March through October, especially during the peak summer months to reduce the risk of skin damage, while remaining vigilant with protective clothing, sunscreen, and seeking shade during peak sun hours. In contrast, November and December offer a more manageable risk, with lower UV indexes—making it safer for outdoor activities.
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 |
| Hubei | 3 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 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 |
| 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 |