Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Kitakami, Japan, awareness of the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin health and preventing sunburn. With summer months bringing higher UV levels, it's important to understand daily fluctuations in UV exposure, particularly when the index peaks at 10 around midday, indicating a very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Kitakami's Cfa climate means warm temperatures and ample sunshine, which can elevate UV exposure risks. By staying informed about the UV Index, you can make better choices to protect yourself, enjoy the outdoors, and keep your skin healthy.
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 |
Throughout the year, the UV Index demonstrates significant seasonal variation, impacting sun safety for residents and visitors. With moderate exposure levels in January and February (UV Index 3-4), individuals can safely enjoy outdoor activities with a burn time of 30 minutes. As we move into March, the UV Index reaches a high level of 6, reducing burn time to 25 minutes, and continues to escalate through April and May, where it peaks at very high levels of 9, necessitating a burn time of just 15 minutes. The extreme risk months of July and August, with a UV Index of 11, emphasize the need for heightened sun protection, allowing only 10 minutes of unprotected sun exposure. The UV Index decreases again in September to 9, remains at 6 in October, and returns to moderate levels in November and December. To ensure safety, visitors and residents should adopt protective measures—such as sunscreen and clothing—during the high-risk months of April through August, particularly on the most intense days when UV levels peak.
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 |
| Kitakami | 3 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| 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 |