Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is essential for residents of Selm, Germany, where outdoor activities abound year-round. Awareness of UV levels can play a crucial role in preventing sunburn and promoting long-term skin health, especially as the summer months bring increased risk. Selm experiences a Cfb climate, characterized by mild summers, yet midday UV peaks can reach a significant 7—a level where unprotected skin can burn in as little as 30 minutes. By staying informed about the UV Index, you can enjoy the sun safely while protecting your skin from harmful effects.
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 |
| Selm | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Koeln UVI | 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 |