Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Dongxi, China, where sun exposure can significantly impact skin health and increase the risk of sunburn. During peak hours, particularly from 10 AM to 1 PM, the UV Index reaches dangerous levels, peaking at 12, emphasizing the need for vigilance and protection against intense rays. With Dongxi’s humid subtropical climate (Cfa), the combination of sunny days and high humidity amplifies UV exposure risks. Being informed about UV levels enables effective sun safety measures, ensuring you enjoy outdoor activities while safeguarding your skin.
The UV Index provides a vital insight into sun exposure throughout the day, peaking during the late morning to early afternoon hours. At 07:00, it starts off low at 2, but by 08:00, it rises to 4, indicating increasing sun intensity. The real surge happens between 09:00 and 12:00, where it climbs dramatically to a maximum of 12 at 11:00 and 12:00. As the sun begins to dip after 13:00, the index gradually decreases to 11 at 1 PM and gently tapers off to 9 at 2 PM. By 3 PM, it continues to decline to 6, and by the evening, it reaches a minimal 1 at both 5 PM and 6 PM, finally falling to 0 by 7 PM. This hourly breakdown urges us to protect our skin during the peak hours, especially when the index hits its zenith.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
As the seasons change, so do the UV levels, with high-risk months peaking from March to September, where the UV Index consistently reaches extreme levels of 11 to 13. January starts with a high UV Index of 6, which increases to a very high 8 in February, then sharply escalates to extreme values for the following months. During the peak summer months of June, July, and August, a UV Index of 13 indicates a burn time of just 10 minutes. As autumn begins, UV levels gradually decrease but remain significant, dropping to 9 in October. To ensure safety, it is advised that visitors and residents take precautions during high UV periods by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak hours, particularly from March through September. In contrast, burn times of 25 minutes in January, November, and December suggest relatively lower UV risks during those months.
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 |
| Dongxi | 6 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 6 |
| 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 |