Last updated: May 3, 2025
In the sun-soaked oasis of Abu Simbel, Egypt, awareness of the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin and overall health. With intense UV levels, especially during midday hours, understanding these fluctuations can help you prevent sunburn and reduce the risk of long-term skin damage. Abu Simbel's BWh climate offers stunning contrasts between scorching sunshine and cooler evenings, yet its typical UV exposure brings notable risks. Staying informed about the UV Index empowers residents and visitors alike to take proactive measures against sun-related health issues, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable experience under the Egyptian sun.
At dawn, 7:00 AM, the UV Index is a mild 2, perfect for enjoying the early morning. As the day progresses, the intensity ramps up dramatically, peaking at 12:00 PM with a striking 12—the sun is at its fiercest, urging everyone to seek shade and stay protected. The UV Index begins to gradually decline after this peak, dipping to 10 at 1:00 PM and 8 by 2:00 PM, making the afternoon still quite bright but less intense. By the late afternoon, the UV levels drop further to 5 at 3:00 PM and continue to decrease, reaching a gentle 1 at 5:00 PM and maintaining that level into the evening hours until it finally settles at 0 after sunset at 7:00 PM. Overall, it's essential to be mindful of sun exposure during the height of the day!
| 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 | 5 | moderate | 30 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 |
The UV Index varies throughout the year, reflecting seasonal changes in sun exposure. The months from March to August are particularly high-risk with an extreme UV Index of 12, requiring minimal exposure times of just 10 minutes to avoid sunburn. Notably, February sees a peak at 9, categorized as very high, and September and October follow closely behind at 10, which also falls into the very high range. Meanwhile, January and November maintain an 8, labeled as very high, while December drops to a high category with a UV Index of 7 and a safer burn time of 25 minutes. Residents and visitors should take extra precautions during the peak UV months by seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen regularly, especially during midday hours when the sun's rays are most intense.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Said UVI | 4 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| Alexandria UVI | 4 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| Giza UVI | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
| Cairo UVI | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
| Suez UVI | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 5 |
| Abu Simbel | 8 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 |