UV Index in Kodaikanal, India

Last updated: May 3, 2025

Understanding the UV Index is vital for safeguarding your skin health in Kodaikanal, India, where the climate offers breathtaking scenery and bright sunshine. With peak UV levels reaching as high as 14 during midday, awareness of UV exposure becomes crucial for sunburn prevention and long-term skin health. Even in this beautiful hill station, knowing how to protect yourself from harmful rays—especially between 10 AM and 2 PM—can help you enjoy your time outdoors without compromising your well-being. Stay informed, stay protected, and bask in the beauty of Kodaikanal responsibly!

Hourly UV Index in Kodaikanal

As the sun rises, the UV Index starts off low at 2 at 07:00, perfect for a morning stroll. By 08:00, it climbs to 4, indicating a bit more sun exposure. The heat of the day peaks between 10:00 and 12:00, with the UV Index soaring to a striking 14 at 12:00. This is the time to take precautions! As the afternoon wanes, the index gradually declines, dropping to 9 by 14:00 and falling further to 5 at 15:00. By the evening, it’s safe to venture out again, with levels decreasing to a mere 0 by 18:00 and remaining so through the night. Stay sun-smart and enjoy the beautiful day while knowing when to seek shade!

Average solar exposure data for the current time of the year. Actual values may vary and depend on many factors, such as cloud cover, vegetation cover, surface type, etc.
Time	UVI	Category	Time to Burn
07:00	2	low	45 min
08:00	4	moderate	30 min
09:00	8	very high	15 min
10:00	11	extreme	10 min
11:00	13	extreme	10 min
12:00	14	extreme	10 min
13:00	12	extreme	10 min
14:00	9	very high	15 min
15:00	5	moderate	30 min
16:00	2	low	45 min
17:00	1	low	45 min
18:00	0	low	45 min
19:00	0	low	45 min

Monthly UV Index Trends in Kodaikanal

The UV Index experiences significant peaks from January to April, with values reaching a maximum of 15 in April, categorizing this period as extreme and indicating a dangerously short burn time of just 10 minutes. May through September maintains elevated UV levels, all classified as extreme, with values hovering around 13 to 14 and a consistent burn time of 10 minutes. Subsequently, October sees a slight decrease to 12 (still extreme), while November and December drop to a very high category with UV Index values of 10 and a longer burn time of 15 minutes. Residents and visitors should exercise caution from January to October, particularly during these high-risk months, ensuring proper sun protection methods such as wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade, especially during peak sun hours.

Monthly Maximum UV Index for Kodaikanal, India

The monthly maximum UV Index (UVI) represents the highest UV radiation level recorded each month in Kodaikanal. It measures the strength of ultraviolet radiation from the sun and helps assess the risk of sunburn and UV-related health issues.

Data source: Statistical UV Index data for Kodaikanal, based on information from the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

UV Risk Categories

Extreme (11+): Avoid the sun, stay in shade.
Very High (8-10): Limit sun exposure.
High (6-7): Use SPF 30+ and protective clothing.
Moderate (3-5): Midday shade recommended.
Low (0-2): No protection needed.

Compare Kodaikanal UV Index with Other India Cities

The table above highlights how UV exposure in Kodaikanal compares to other major locations across India. This comparison helps travelers and residents better understand regional sun intensity and plan outdoor activities with sun safety in mind.

Kodaikanal's solar exposure compared to other cities in India. Generated using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information.
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Delhi UVI	5	6	9	10	10	10	12	12	9	8	5	5
Mumbai UVI	8	9	10	11	11	12	13	13	11	10	7	7
Ahmedabad UVI	7	8	10	12	11	12	13	13	11	10	7	6
Hyderabad UVI	10	11	12	11	13	13	15	14	13	11	8	8
Bengaluru UVI	11	13	13	14	13	14	14	14	14	12	11	10
Kodaikanal	11	13	14	15	14	13	13	14	14	12	10	10