Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Nuuk, Greenland, where the unique climate can lead to unexpected sun exposure risks. With UV levels reaching up to 6 during midday, being aware of these measurements helps in preventing sunburn and safeguarding your skin health. As Nuuk's ET climate often features clear skies during summer months, recognizing when it's time to seek shade or apply sunscreen is vital for protecting yourself from harmful UV radiation. Stay informed and enjoy the stunning natural beauty of Greenland without compromising your health!
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 |
As the seasons change, so does the UV Index, indicating varying levels of sun exposure risk throughout the year. From January to February, the UV Index remains low (1), allowing for safe outdoor activities with a burn time of 45 minutes. March and April see a rise to moderate levels (3 and 5, respectively) with shorter burn times of 30 minutes, signaling increased caution for sun exposure. May and June represent high-risk months with indices of 6 and 7, where it's crucial to limit exposure to 25 minutes. In July and August, the UV Index drops slightly to moderate levels (5), but still requires protective measures. September falls back to moderate (3), followed by a return to low levels in October, November, and December (2 and 1) with more extended burn times of 45 minutes. Visitors and residents should be particularly vigilant from May to June, ensuring they use sunscreen and wear protective clothing to minimize risks during peak UV exposure months.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ilulissat UVI | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Aasiaat UVI | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Sisimiut UVI | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Nuuk | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Qaqortoq UVI | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |