Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors of Sinah, Iraq, where the climate offers plenty of sunshine but also presents significant risks of overexposure to harmful ultraviolet rays. With UV levels peaking at an intense level of 11 at noon, being aware of these fluctuations helps in preventing sunburn and safeguarding your skin health. As a region characterized by a Mediterranean climate (Csa), Sinah experiences hot summers that can lead to high UV exposure, particularly between 10 AM and 2 PM. Embracing UV Index awareness not only promotes better skin care practices but ensures a safer outdoor experience in this sun-drenched locale.
The UV Index data reveals a clear pattern in solar exposure throughout the day. Morning rays begin gently, with a maximum of 2 at 07:00, steadily rising to 4 by 08:00. As the sun climbs higher, the index peaks at an impressive 11 at 12:00, indicating a moment of intense UV radiation. Temperatures remain elevated with a 10 at 11:00 and 13:00, before gradually declining to 8 by 14:00. The afternoon light softens, dropping to 6 by 15:00, then continues to retreat as the sun sets—falling to 3 at 16:00, 2 at 17:00, and reaching 1 by 18:00 and 19:00. This data underscores the importance of protecting your skin during the peak hours, especially between 10:00 and 14:00, when the UV Index is at its highest.
| 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 | 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 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 3 | 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 |
| Sinah | 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 |