Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for the AlSayid Tribe in Israel, where the climate (BSh) presents unique challenges regarding sun exposure. As UV levels can peak dramatically, reaching a maximum of 12 during midday hours, awareness of these fluctuations helps prevent sunburn and promotes long-term skin health. With the risk of harmful UV radiation heightened in this arid environment, knowing when to seek shade or apply sunscreen is vital for maintaining well-being and protecting against skin damage.
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins its climb, starting at a gentle 1 at 7:00 AM. By 8:00, it ramps up to 3, but it’s between 9:00 and 11:00 that it truly peaks, reaching a striking 11 at 12:00 PM, the hour when sun protection becomes essential. The afternoon sun keeps its intensity, maintaining a strong 12 from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. However, as the day progresses, the index starts to dip, falling to 10 by 2:00 PM and gradually easing to 5 by 4:00 PM. Finally, the UV Index diminishes to a safe 1 by 6:00 PM, signaling the end of the solar intensity. It’s a clear reminder that midday hours demand vigilance against UV exposure! 🌞
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
As the seasons change, so do the UV Index levels, significantly impacting sun safety for both residents and visitors. From January to March, the UV Index escalates from moderate (5) to very high (9), indicating a growing need for sun protection, especially by March when burn time decreases to just 15 minutes. The summer months of May through August experience extreme UV exposure, with the UV Index peaking at 12 and a burn time of only 10 minutes, marking them as the highest risk months for skin damage. As autumn approaches, the UV Index remains elevated until November, where it drops to a high level (6) but is still noteworthy. In December, the UV Index falls to moderate levels (4), offering a brief reprieve. It is critical for everyone to take precautions such as wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade during high UV periods to mitigate skin damage throughout the year.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haifa UVI | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Petah Tiqwa UVI | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| Tel Aviv UVI | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| Ashdod UVI | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| Jerusalem UVI | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| AlSayid Tribe | 5 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 |