Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Kirkuk, Iraq is crucial for protecting your skin and overall health. With the region's BSh climate, intense sun exposure is common, especially during midday hours when the UV Index can reach a maximum of 11. Awareness of UV levels can help prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy outdoor activities safely. As Kirkuk experiences varying UV rates throughout the day, it's essential to monitor these levels to ensure you’re taking the right precautions when the sun's rays are at their strongest.
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 |
As the seasons change, so do the UV Index levels, significantly affecting the risk of sunburn for visitors and residents. January and February start off with a moderate UV Index of 4 and 5 respectively, allowing for a burn time of 30 minutes. The risks escalate in March with a high UV Index of 7 (burn time 25 minutes), reaching a peak in the summer months of May, June, and July, where the UV Index hits its maximum at 11 (extreme) with a burn time of just 10 minutes. April also presents a high risk with a UV Index of 9 (very high, burn time 15 minutes). As summer wanes into August and September, although the UV Index drops slightly to 10 and 8, the risk remains high. October sees a decrease to a high of 7, while November and December return to moderate levels of 4 and 3. Residents and visitors should be particularly vigilant in the high-risk months of April to September, recommending sunscreen, protective clothing, and shade during outdoor activities to mitigate sun exposure effectively.
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 |
| Kirkuk | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 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 |
| Basrah UVI | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 |