Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Shaqlawah, Iraq is essential for maintaining skin health and preventing sunburn, especially during the peak hours of sunshine. With a climate characterized by hot summers and moderate winters, the UV exposure can be significant, particularly between 10 AM and 2 PM when levels reach a maximum of 11. Awareness of these UV levels not only helps residents and visitors alike enjoy outdoor activities safely but also fosters a culture of proactive skin protection. Keep an eye on the UV Index to safeguard your skin against the sun’s harmful effects!
The UV Index throughout the day presents a fascinating pattern of increasing intensity. Starting at 07:00, the index is a mild 2, gradually climbing to 4 by 08:00. As the sun rises higher in the sky, the UV Index peaks at 11 around noon, indicating a high level of sun exposure risk. After reaching its zenith at 12:00, the intensity begins to wane, dropping to 10 by 13:00 and then tapering off to 8, 6, and finally 4 by the afternoon. As the day winds down, the UV Index declines further to a low 2 by 17:00 and settles at 1 by evening, signaling a much safer time for outdoor activities. This pattern emphasizes the importance of sun protection during peak hours, particularly from 10:00 to 14:00, when the UV levels are at their most hazardous.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index shows significant seasonal changes, with high-risk months for UV exposure primarily occurring from March to August. During this period, the UV Index escalates from a moderate level of 8 in March to an extreme high of 12 in May and June, providing a burn time as short as 10 minutes. In contrast, January and December demonstrate lower UV levels, categorized as moderate, allowing for longer safe exposure times of 30 minutes. Visitors and residents should take extra precautions from March to August by wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen, and seeking shade to minimize the risk of UV-related harm during these months of high intensity. As the UV Index decreases in the fall and winter, exposure remains necessary, but the risk is markedly reduced.
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 |
| Shaqlawah | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Basrah UVI | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 |