Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors of Espinasses, France, where the sun's rays can be surprisingly potent, especially during peak hours. As a charming town in the temperate Cfc climate zone, Espinasses experiences significant sunlight exposure, making awareness of UV levels essential for sunburn prevention and long-term skin health. With the UV Index reaching a peak of 9 between 1 PM and 2 PM, it's important to take precautions to protect your skin. By staying informed about the UV Index, you can enjoy the beautiful French sun while safeguarding your health.
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins at a low 1 at 07:00, providing a gentle start to the day. By 09:00, it picks up to 3, signaling the need for a bit more awareness. The real warmth comes at 10:00, with the index reaching 5, and it escalates quickly as noon approaches. By 12:00, we hit 8, and at 13:00, the UV index peaks at 9, marking the height of solar intensity. As the afternoon progresses, values remain high but start to dip slightly: 8 at 15:00 and then down to 6 by 16:00. As the sun begins to set, the index falls to 4 at 17:00 and finally drops back to 1 by evening, reminding us to bask in the sun wisely and protect our skin during peak hours!
| 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 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 9 | 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 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
As the seasons change, so do UV levels, significantly impacting outdoor activities. From January to February, the UV Index is moderate (3 to 5), allowing for 30 minutes of safe sun exposure. However, starting in March, the index climbs to 7, marking the beginning of high-risk exposure with a burn time reduced to 25 minutes. April through August represents the peak risk period, with UV indexes ranging from 8 to 10 and burn times dropping to 15 minutes, categorizing these months as very high exposure. September sees a slight decline to an index of 8, while October presents a high risk again (index 6) with longer burn times of 25 minutes. The risk then decreases significantly in November and December, returning to moderate and low levels (3 and 2, respectively) with extended burn times of 30 to 45 minutes. Residents and visitors are advised to take extra precautions—such as applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade—especially during the high-risk months of March to September to minimize sunburn and long-term skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Espinasses | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 2 |