Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Furudate, Japan, being aware of the UV Index is essential for safeguarding your skin and overall health. With UV levels peaking at 10 during midday, understanding these fluctuations can help prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage. Given Furudate's Cfb climate, characterized by mild summers and relatively high UV exposure, it's crucial to stay informed about the daily UV Index. By monitoring these levels, you can enjoy the beauty of the outdoors while keeping your skin protected.
During the day, the UV Index experiences a dynamic shift, peaking in the late morning. Starting at 3 at 07:00, it escalates to reach a high of 10 by 11:00 and remains there until 12:00. As afternoon approaches, the index gradually declines, dropping back to 9 by 13:00, then to 7 at 14:00. By the mid to late afternoon, it continues its descent, falling to 5 at 15:00 and further down to 3 by 16:00. In the evening, the index diminishes significantly, plummeting to 1 at both 17:00 and 18:00, and finally reaching 0 by 19:00. This pattern highlights the importance of sun protection during the peak hours of 10:00 to 12:00 when the UV radiation is most intense.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 08:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
As the seasons change, so do the UV index levels and associated risks for skin damage. During the winter months of January to February, the UV index remains moderate (3-4), allowing for a 30-minute burn time. However, starting in March, the UV index escalates to high (6), indicating the need for increased sun protection. The high-risk months peak from April to August, with the UV index reaching very high (8-10) and even extreme levels (11) in August, where burn times drop to just 10 minutes. September sees a decline to very high (9), while October returns to high levels (6) with a longer burn time of 25 minutes. As winter returns in November and December, the sun's strength diminishes, with indexes dropping to moderate and low (4 and 2), leading to safer burn times of 30 and 45 minutes, respectively. It is crucial for visitors and residents to use sun protection consistently during high-risk months and limit direct sun exposure, especially during midday hours.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sapporo UVI | 2 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Furudate | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Yokohama UVI | 3 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Tokyo UVI | 3 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Nagoya UVI | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| Osaka UVI | 4 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 |