Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Xiushan, China, where sun exposure can pose significant risks to skin health. With UV levels peaking at a staggering 12 around noon, awareness is essential for preventing sunburn and long-term skin damage. Given Xiushan's humid subtropical climate (Cfa), daily activities can lead to increased UV exposure, especially during the summer months. By keeping an eye on the UV Index, you can enjoy the outdoors while taking the necessary precautions to protect yourself from harmful rays.
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins its ascent, reaching a moderate level of 2 by 7:00 AM. By 8:00 AM, it climbs to 4, signaling a gradual start to sun exposure. The peak occurs at 12:00 PM, when the index hits a maximum of 12, marking the day's highest risk for skin damage. From this point, it begins to taper off, descending to 10 at 1:00 PM and gradually lowering to 1 by 5:00 PM, signifying a safe end to daylight activities. As evening approaches, the UV Index drops to 0, wrapping up the day's sun journey. Be sure to take precautions during those midday hours when the sun's intensity is at its strongest!
| 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 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 8 | 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, the UV Index varies significantly, indicating changes in sun exposure risk. January and December see moderate UV levels (Index 5), with a burn time of 30 minutes, while February rises to a high risk (Index 7) with a shorter burn time of 25 minutes. The spring months of March and April reach very high levels (Index 9 and 10), reducing safe exposure time to just 15 minutes. The summer months, particularly May through August, present extreme UV conditions (Index 11-12) with a critical burn time of only 10 minutes, posing the highest risk for skin damage. As the year progresses into September and October, UV levels taper to very high (Index 10 and 8) again allowing for 15 minutes of exposure, before falling back to high in November. To ensure safety, visitors and residents should be especially cautious during the summer months and plan outdoor activities accordingly, using sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade, particularly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV radiation 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 |
| Xiushan | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 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 |