Last updated: May 3, 2025
In Koeln, Germany, staying aware of the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin against harmful ultraviolet radiation. Understanding the UV levels not only helps in preventing sunburn but also plays a significant role in maintaining long-term skin health. Given Koeln's Cfb climate, which typically features mild to warm summers, residents and visitors alike must be vigilant about UV exposure, particularly from late morning to early afternoon when the index peaks at 7. With values rising rapidly around noon, knowing when to seek shade and applying sunscreen can make all the difference in safeguarding your skin.
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins at a gentle 1 at 07:00, ensuring a low risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. By 09:00, it escalates to 2, prompting early birds to start thinking about sun protection. The real warmth begins to be felt at 10:00 with a 4 on the scale, turning up the heat as it hits 5 by 11:00. The sun reaches its zenith at 12:00, peaking with a 7, and it sustains this intensity until 14:00, offering a high risk of harm to unprotected skin. As we move through the afternoon, the index gradually declines, dropping to 6 by 15:00 and easing to 3 by 17:00. Finally, the evening brings a return to safety with values falling back to 1 by 19:00, welcoming the coolness of dusk. Take care to protect your skin, especially during those midday hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 13:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 14:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV Index values fluctuate significantly, indicating varying levels of sun exposure risk. The high-risk months are from May to August, where the UV Index reaches its peak at 7-8, classifying them as high to very high exposure. Specifically, June and July present the greatest risk, with a burn time of only 15 minutes. In contrast, the winter months (January, February, November, and December) show a low exposure category with UV Index values of 1-2, allowing for longer safe sun exposure (up to 45 minutes). To ensure safety, it is advisable for visitors and residents to take protective measures during the high UV months, such as wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade, especially during midday hours.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamburg UVI | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Berlin UVI | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Koeln | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Frankfurt am Main UVI | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Munich UVI | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |