Last updated: August 1, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Kotdwara, India is crucial for safeguarding your skin and overall health from the sun's harmful rays. With its Cwa climate, Kotdwara experiences significant UV exposure, especially during the peak hours of sunlight, making it essential to be aware of UV levels. From preventing painful sunburns to reducing long-term skin damage, knowing the UV Index helps you take necessary precautions when enjoying the outdoors. As UV levels soar to 12 between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, awareness is your best defense against the sun's intensity in this beautiful region. Stay informed and protect your skin!
At sunrise, the UV Index begins at a gentle 2 by 07:00, but as the sun rises higher, the intensity quickly escalates. By 09:00, it reaches a moderate 7, signaling outdoor enthusiasts to apply sunscreen. The peak comes at 11:00 and 12:00, where the index peaks at a striking 12, indicating very high levels of UV radiation. As the afternoon progresses, the index gradually decreases, dipping to 8 by 14:00 and further dropping to 5 by 15:00. In the late afternoon and evening, the UV Index retreats to 3 by 16:00, finally settling at 1 by 17:00 and fading to 0 after 19:00. This daily cycle highlights the importance of sun safety during those peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index experiences significant fluctuations throughout the year, peaking during the summer months. From January to February, the UV Index increases from 5 to 6, indicating a shift from moderate to high exposure risk, with a corresponding decrease in burn time from 30 minutes to 25 minutes. The danger escalates sharply in March, where the index reaches 9, classified as very high with just 15 minutes of burn time. This trend continues into April, May, and June, maintaining a UV Index of 10 and emphasizing the need for caution. The peak risk months are July and August, with values soaring to 12 and 11 respectively, classified as extreme, where only 10 minutes of exposure can result in burns. As the year progresses into September and October, the index remains high, yet slightly less severe, at 10 and 8. The risk drops significantly in November and December as the index declines to 5 and 4, corresponding to a return to moderate levels and longer burn times of 30 minutes. Visitors and residents are advised to take precautions—using broad-spectrum sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade, particularly from March to October when UV exposure poses the highest risk.
UV Risk Categories
| 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 |
| Kotdwara | 5 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| 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 |