Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents of Zhongshu, China, where exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays can vary significantly throughout the day. With peak UV levels reaching as high as 15 around midday, knowing the UV Index helps in making informed decisions to protect your skin and prevent painful sunburns. In this climate zone characterized by a humid subtropical climate (Cwb), the sun’s intensity can pose serious risks to skin health, particularly during the summer months. Stay aware, stay protected, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors safely!
From 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM, the UV Index begins its gentle ascent, peaking at 2—a clear indicator to enjoy the morning sun responsibly. By 9:00 AM, it climbs to 4, and the heat intensifies rapidly, hitting 8 at 10:00 AM. The midday sun reaches its zenith around 12:00 PM, with a blistering UV Index of 14, and it continues to surge to a scorching 15 at 1:00 PM. As the afternoon progresses, values decrease slightly to 14 by 2:00 PM and taper off to 11 at 3:00 PM. The evening brings a gradual relief, with the UV Index dwindling to 4 by 5:00 PM and settling to 1 by 7:00 PM. This hourly UV journey serves as a reminder to stay protected, particularly during those peak midday 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 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 14 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 15 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 14 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 16:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 17:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index exhibits significant seasonal variations, with January and February marking the start of the high-risk months, sustaining a very high UV Index of 8 and 9 respectively, requiring only 15 minutes for potential skin burn. The risk escalates dramatically from March to July, where the UV Index reaches its peak at 15 during May and July, categorized as extreme, with a burn time of merely 10 minutes. Following this peak, August to October continues to present elevated risk levels, although slightly lower, ranging from 14 to 12. As we move into November and December, the UV Index decreases to 9 and 7—with the latter still being classified as high, but allowing for 25 minutes before burn risk arises. Visitors and residents are advised to take precautionary measures such as wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak sun hours, particularly from March to October, when UV exposure is most intense.
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 |
| 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 |
| Zhongshu | 8 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 7 |