Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is essential for everyone living in or visiting Oulu, Finland, as it helps to safeguard your skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. With peak UV values reaching 6 during the sunniest hours, awareness of UV levels is crucial for preventing sunburn and maintaining overall skin health. Oulu's Dfc climate presents unique challenges, with relatively shorter summers but significant UV exposure risks during the day. By staying informed about the UV Index, you can enjoy the sun safely while making informed choices about sun protection.
Starting early in the morning, the UV Index gradually climbs, reaching a peak of 6 at noon and maintaining that level until 2 PM. By 7 AM, it’s a mild 1, but as the sun rises higher, the intensity escalates to 5 by 11 AM. The highest point occurs at 12 PM, where caution is advised for outdoor activities. As the afternoon progresses, the index slightly dips to 5 at 3 PM, before gradually falling back to 2 by 7 PM. This pattern suggests that planning outdoor ventures during the midday hours warrants protective measures, while later hours are more forgiving for fun in the sun.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 13:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 14:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
During the year, the UV Index varies significantly, indicating fluctuating levels of sun exposure risk. From January to February, the UV Index remains low at 1, with a burn time of 45 minutes, making it relatively safe for outdoor activities. As spring approaches, the index rises to 2 in March and reaches 3 in April, transitioning into the moderate category with a burn time of 30 minutes. The high-risk months occur in June and July, when the UV Index peaks at 6, necessitating cautious sun exposure, since the burn time is reduced to just 25 minutes. In August, the UV Index decreases slightly to 4, followed by a gradual decline to 3 in September and 2 in October. By November and December, the UV Index drops back to 1, again allowing for 45 minutes of safe exposure. Visitors and residents are advised to take greater precautions during the summer months and to use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and seek shade, especially during peak hours.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oulu | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Tampere UVI | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Vantaa UVI | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Espoo UVI | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Helsinki UVI | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Turku UVI | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |