Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Riversdale, Jamaica, awareness of the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin and overall health. Understanding UV levels not only helps in preventing painful sunburns but also plays a vital role in long-term skin protection. With a tropical climate that features high UV exposure, particularly during midday hours, residents and visitors alike should be vigilant about sun safety. During peak hours, the UV Index can soar to extreme levels, highlighting the importance of taking protective measures to enjoy the beautiful Jamaican sun without compromising your skin health.
The UV Index throughout the day reveals striking fluctuations, peaking at a blistering 13 at noon. Starting under gentle conditions at 07:00 with a maximum of 1, the UV intensity gradually climbs, hitting 3 by 08:00. As the sun ascends, it reaches 6 at 09:00 and skyrockets to 11 by 11:00, warning sun seekers to take precautions. The pinnacle occurs at 12:00, where a relentless 13 signals the need for protective measures. The index then begins a steady decline, dipping to 12 by 13:00, before descending further to 10 at 14:00, and tapering off to 4 by 16:00. As twilight approaches, the UV levels fall swiftly, reaching a safe 0 by 19:00, reminding us of the sun's fleeting power and the importance of sun safety during those peak hours.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index experiences significant variations throughout the year, reaching its peak during the spring and summer months. From January to April, the UV levels start at 9 and escalate to 14 by April, indicating an extreme exposure category with a rapid decrease in burn time to just 10 minutes. This high-risk period continues through May to October, where the UV Index remains at 12 to 13, maintaining the extreme classification and a burn time of 10 minutes. In November and December, the UV Index decreases to 9 and 8 respectively, categorized as very high, with burn times extending to 15 minutes. Visitors and residents should take proactive measures, especially from February to October, by wearing protective clothing, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, and seeking shade during peak hours to minimize the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montego Bay UVI | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 8 |
| Riversdale | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 8 |
| Mandeville UVI | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 8 |
| Portmore UVI | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 8 |
| Spanish Town UVI | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 8 |
| Kingston UVI | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 8 |