Last updated: May 3, 2025
Staying informed about the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Ardfinnan, Ireland, where the climate fosters a mix of beautiful sunny days and overcast skies. Understanding UV levels is essential to protect against sunburn and ensure long-term skin health. With typical midday UV indices reaching as high as 7, outdoor activities during peak hours can increase exposure risk. By being aware of the UV Index, you can enjoy the radiant outdoors while safeguarding your skin against harmful ultraviolet rays.
As the sun rises, the UV Index remains low, starting at 1 at 07:00 and 08:00, making it a gentle time to venture outdoors. By 09:00, it ramps up to 3, signaling the beginning of the day’s peak sun exposure. 10:00 sees a rise to 4, and things heat up significantly by 11:00 with a UV Index of 5. The highest point peaks at 12:00, 13:00, and 14:00 with a striking 7, urging everyone to take precautions. As the afternoon progresses, the UV Index gradually declines to 6 by 15:00, and continues to drop to 3 by 17:00. Finally, it winds down for the evening, returning to 2 at 18:00 and settling back to 1 by 19:00, indicating that the sun is setting and the day’s harshest rays are behind us. Enjoy the outdoors, but don’t forget your sunscreen during those midday hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 13:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 14:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV Index values fluctuate significantly, indicating varying levels of sun exposure risk. The high-risk months are from May to August, where the UV Index reaches its peak at 7-8, classifying them as high to very high exposure. Specifically, June and July present the greatest risk, with a burn time of only 15 minutes. In contrast, the winter months (January, February, November, and December) show a low exposure category with UV Index values of 1-2, allowing for longer safe sun exposure (up to 45 minutes). To ensure safety, it is advisable for visitors and residents to take protective measures during the high UV months, such as wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade, especially during midday hours.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaillimh UVI | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Tallaght UVI | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Dublin UVI | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Luimneach UVI | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Ardfinnan | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Cork UVI | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 |