Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Hongqi, China, where the climate can expose individuals to potentially harmful ultraviolet radiation. As a city within the BWk climate zone, Hongqi experiences notable UV levels, peaking at 9 during midday hours. Being aware of these levels is vital for preventing sunburn and promoting overall skin health, as even brief exposure can lead to skin damage. With the risk of high UV exposure, particularly during the summer months, staying informed about the UV Index can help you safeguard your skin while enjoying the beautiful Hongqi outdoors.
The UV Index for the day reveals an intensifying sun, peaking between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM with a striking value of 9. Early in the day, at 7:00 AM, the index starts low at 1, allowing a gradual increase to 2 by 8:00 AM. As the hours progress, the UV exposure rises sharply, hitting 6 by 10:00 AM, and climbing to its maximum of 8 at 11:00 AM before reaching its zenith. After this midday spike, a gentle decline begins; the levels drop back to 8 at 2:00 PM, then 6 at 3:00 PM, and further decrease to 2 by 5:00 PM. The sun sets on the day’s UV journey with lingering low values of 1 for the last few hours. It's a reminder to stay protected during those peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 8 | 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 varies significantly, indicating changing levels of sun exposure risks. From January to February, the UV index starts low to moderate (2 to 3), with a safe burn time of 45 minutes and 30 minutes, respectively. However, as we transition into March and April, the index climbs to high levels (6 and 7), reducing burn time to just 25 minutes. The peak season occurs between May and August, where the UV index reaches very high levels (10), necessitating very cautious sun exposure, with burn times dropping to a mere 15 minutes. As summer fades into September, the UV index decreases to high (7) once more, extending the burn time to 25 minutes. Moving into the fall, October and November present moderate indices (5 and 3) with burn times of 30 minutes, before returning to low levels in December (2) where burn time is again 45 minutes. Visitors and residents are advised to prioritize sun protection—especially during the high-risk months from March through September—by using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade to minimize the risk of skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hongqi | 2 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| 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 |
| 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 |