Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Dihok, Iraq, understanding the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin and overall health. With the region's Csa climate, residents and visitors often face elevated UV exposure, particularly during peak hours. Awareness of UV levels helps prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage, making it essential to take precautions. With UV indexes soaring as high as 11 at noon, knowing when to seek shade or apply sunscreen can make all the difference in maintaining healthy skin while enjoying the beautiful sunshine in Dihok.
The UV Index throughout the day reveals a striking pattern of sun exposure. Starting at 7:00 AM, the index registers a modest 2, gradually rising to 3 at 8:00 AM. As the sun climbs higher, the index surges to 6 by 9:00 AM and peaks impressively at 11:00 AM with a notable 10. The zenith of solar intensity occurs at 12:00 PM, reaching a high of 11—a clear reminder of the sun’s strength. The afternoon sees a slight decline, with values at 10 at 1:00 PM and dropping to 9 by 2:00 PM. As the day winds down, the UV Index dips to 6 at 3:00 PM, further decreasing to 4 at 4:00 PM. By 5:00 PM, it sinks to 2 and finally settles at a low of 1 by 6:00 PM, marking the end of a day filled with fluctuating UV exposure.
| 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 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 9 | 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 |
Throughout the year, the UV Index displays notable seasonal variations, with high-risk months identified primarily from April to September. This period experiences peak UV levels of 8 to 11, categorizing them as very high to extreme, with significantly reduced burn times of 10 to 15 minutes. In contrast, the low-risk months of December to February show UV levels between 3 and 5, where burn times extend to 30 minutes. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take extra precautions during the high-risk months, such as seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen regularly, to mitigate the harmful effects of increased UV radiation.
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 |
| Dihok | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 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 |
| Basrah UVI | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 |