Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Vinay, France, being mindful of the UV Index is crucial for maintaining skin health and preventing sunburn, especially during peak summer months. Understanding the UV levels helps residents and visitors alike to take necessary precautions when outdoors. With an oceanic climate (Cfb) characterized by mild summers and moderate UV exposure, Vinay experiences its highest UV Index readings, peaking at 9 in the early afternoon. This highlights the importance of sun protection strategies—such as wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and sunglasses—to safeguard against harmful UV rays while enjoying the beautiful French outdoors.
The UV Index displays its daily performance, starting off with a low score of 1 at 07:00 and 08:00, making it a safe morning for outdoor activities. As the sun climbs higher, the index begins to rise sharply, reaching 4 by 10:00 and escalating to a striking 8 by noon. The peak intensity occurs from 13:00 to 14:00 with a maximum value of 9, indicating a critical time for sun exposure. Fortunately, the risk starts to decrease as the afternoon progresses, with values dropping to 6 at 16:00 and further to 3 by 18:00. Overall, while midday offers high UV exposure, the early morning and late afternoon present a more cautious sun environment, perfect for enjoying the day without excessive risk.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 17:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 19:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index experiences significant fluctuations, with high-risk months identified primarily from April to August, where the index peaks at an alarming 9 in June. During these months, the exposure category escalates to very high, resulting in a burn time of just 15 minutes for unprotected skin. In contrast, January, November, and December have low UV levels, making sun protection less critical, with burn times extending to 45 minutes. As such, it’s essential for both visitors and residents to stay vigilant during the peak months by applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM, when UV rays are strongest.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinay | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Paris UVI | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Lyon UVI | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Nice UVI | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Marseille UVI | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Toulouse UVI | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |