Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Akureyri, Iceland, awareness of the UV Index is essential for safeguarding your skin health and preventing sunburn. Understanding the daily UV levels empowers residents and visitors alike to enjoy the outdoors while minimizing the risks associated with ultraviolet radiation. Despite Akureyri's cool ET climate, the UV exposure can still be surprisingly significant, particularly around midday when the index peaks at level 5. Staying informed about these levels helps you embrace the beauty of this stunning location without compromising your skin's well-being.
Today’s UV Index shows a steady climb as the sun rises, peaking during the midday hours. At 07:00, the index starts at a mild 1, gradually increasing to a moderate 3 by 09:00. By 11:00, it reaches its maximum of 5 and holds steady until 15:00, indicating a peak period for sun exposure. As the afternoon transitions to evening, the index begins to drop, returning to 3 at 17:00, then tapering off to 1 by 19:00. This progression signals the best hours for sun safety awareness, suggesting that from 11:00 to 15:00, extra protection is advised to enjoy the outdoors while minimizing UV risks.
| 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 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 13:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 14:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 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 | 1 | low | 45 min |
As the seasons change, so do the UV index levels, affecting sun exposure risks throughout the year. From January to February, the UV index remains at 1, indicating a low risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure, with a burn time of 45 minutes. March sees a slight increase to 2, still categorized as low risk. However, a notable shift occurs in April, where the UV index rises to 4, marking a moderate risk with a reduced burn time of 30 minutes. The high-risk months are May and June, both reaching a UV index of 6, demanding heightened sun protection as burn time falls to 25 minutes. July sees a slight decrease to 5 while remaining moderate, followed by August and September at 4 and 3, respectively. Light exposure risks drop again in October to a low index of 2 as the year closes with low risk months in November and December at 1. Visitors and residents are advised to take precautions during high UV months (May to June), including wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and limiting time in direct sunlight, particularly between 10 AM and 4 PM when UV radiation is strongest. Staying informed on UV levels can help protect skin health throughout the year.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reykjavik UVI | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Gardabaer UVI | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Hafnarfjoerdur UVI | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Kopavogur UVI | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Akureyri | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |