Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Shangzhang, China, understanding the UV Index is vital for maintaining skin health and preventing sunburn. With the region’s Cfa climate, characterized by warm summers, residents and visitors alike must be aware of the potential risks associated with high UV exposure, especially during peak hours from 10 AM to 1 PM, when the UV Index can soar to 12—a level that poses a serious threat to unprotected skin. By keeping track of UV levels, you can take proactive measures to protect yourself in this vibrant locale, ensuring your outdoor adventures are both enjoyable and safe.
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 |
Throughout the year, UV index levels fluctuate significantly, with high-risk months typically spanning from February to September. During this period, the UV index reaches extreme levels of 11-12, creating a burn time of just 10 minutes, particularly from April to August. Notably, March and October also present very high UV indexes (10 and 8 respectively), where burn times decrease to 15 minutes. To ensure safety, visitors and residents are advised to limit sun exposure, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and to use broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF, wear protective clothing, and seek shade whenever possible during these months. In contrast, from November to January, the risk is lower with UV indexes ranging from 5 to 7, allowing for longer exposure times without significant risk.
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 |
| Shangzhang | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 5 |
| 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 |