Last updated: May 3, 2025
In Al Hashimiyah, Iraq, being aware of the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin against harmful solar radiation. Understanding UV levels plays a vital role in preventing sunburn and maintaining long-term skin health, especially given the region's arid BWh climate where intense sunlight can lead to elevated UV exposure risks throughout the day. With UV Index readings peaking at 12 during midday, residents and visitors alike must stay vigilant to safeguard themselves from skin damage and embrace sun-safe behaviors while enjoying the beautiful outdoors.
At dawn, 7:00 AM, the UV Index is a mild 2, perfect for enjoying the early morning. As the day progresses, the intensity ramps up dramatically, peaking at 12:00 PM with a striking 12—the sun is at its fiercest, urging everyone to seek shade and stay protected. The UV Index begins to gradually decline after this peak, dipping to 10 at 1:00 PM and 8 by 2:00 PM, making the afternoon still quite bright but less intense. By the late afternoon, the UV levels drop further to 5 at 3:00 PM and continue to decrease, reaching a gentle 1 at 5:00 PM and maintaining that level into the evening hours until it finally settles at 0 after sunset at 7:00 PM. Overall, it's essential to be mindful of sun exposure during the height of the day!
| 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 | 12 | 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 |
Throughout the year, the UV Index experiences significant changes, with peak levels typically occurring in the late spring and summer months. From May, where the index reaches a critical 12 (extreme exposure category) with a burn time of just 10 minutes, the UV levels remain high to very high until August. The months of March, April, June, and July also pose high-risk for sun exposure, with UV indices ranging from 8 to 10, indicating very high levels. Visitors and residents should particularly exercise caution during May through August, taking protective measures such as wearing sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses, and minimizing sun exposure during peak hours. As the year progresses into late autumn and winter, the UV index drops to moderate levels, but it's still wise to remain vigilant, especially in sunny conditions.
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 Hashimiyah | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Basrah UVI | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 |