Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Al Mishkhab, Iraq is crucial for safeguarding your skin health and preventing sunburn. With the region's BWh climate, characterized by hot and arid conditions, the sun's rays can be particularly intense, especially during the midday hours. Here, UV levels can peak at 10 between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, indicating a high potential for skin damage if proper precautions aren’t taken. Staying informed about daily UV exposure risks helps residents and visitors alike enjoy the sunshine safely while protecting their well-being from harmful effects.
The hourly UV Index reveals an intriguing pattern of sun exposure throughout the day. Starting at a mild level of 2 at 7:00 AM, the index gradually rises, peaking at an intense 10 between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. These prime hours of maximum UV intensity are ideal for sun safety measures, as the rays can be particularly harmful. After this midday surge, the UV Index begins to decline, falling to 5 by 3:00 PM and dwindling to 0 by 7:00 PM. It’s clear that planning outdoor activities around the midday hours is essential for staying safe under the sun!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 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 |
Throughout the year, the UV Index exhibits significant seasonal variations, impacting sun exposure risks. January and December have moderate levels with UV Indexes of 4, allowing for up to 30 minutes of exposure without burning. February sees an increase to a high level (UV Index 6) with a burn time of 25 minutes. The most critical months for UV exposure are March through May, with the UV Index peaking at 12 in May, indicating extreme conditions and a burn time of just 10 minutes. June follows closely with an index of 11 and July with 10, maintaining very high levels and necessitating caution. As summer transitions to early autumn, the UV index decreases but remains at very high levels through September and then drops to high in October (UV Index 7) with a burn time of 25 minutes, eventually returning to moderate levels in November. Residents and visitors should always check the UV Index and take appropriate sun safety measures, particularly during the late spring and summer months when the risk for skin damage is at its highest.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mosul UVI | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Erbil UVI | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Abu Ghurayb UVI | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| Baghdad UVI | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| Al Mishkhab | 4 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Basrah UVI | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 |