Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Kunigami, Japan, understanding the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and overall health. With intense sun exposure, especially during the midday hours where the UV Index peaks at a striking 13, awareness becomes key to preventing sunburn and long-term skin damage. This charming region, characterized by a Cfa climate—warm and temperate—experiences varying UV levels throughout the day, making it essential for residents and visitors alike to monitor these fluctuations. By staying informed about UV levels, you equip yourself to enjoy Kunigami's beautiful outdoor spaces safely!
From the early morning hours, the UV Index steadily rises, beginning at a gentle 1 at 7:00 AM. As the sun climbs higher, it reaches 3 by 8:00 AM before surging to 6 at 9:00 AM. The peak occurs between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, with an intense UV Index of 12 at 11:00 AM and a maximum of 13 at both 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM. As the afternoon progresses, the index starts to decline, dropping to 11 at 2:00 PM, then to 8 by 3:00 PM, and further down to 5 at 4:00 PM. Finally, as the sun sets, the risk decreases significantly, ending the day at 1 by 6:00 PM, illustrating a classic curve of sun intensity throughout the day. Remember to take precautions during the peak hours to protect your skin!
| 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 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV index levels show significant seasonal changes, with the highest risk months occurring from March to September, when the index peaks at 13 and falls under the extreme exposure category, indicating a burn time of merely 10 minutes. February and October also present high to very high UV indexes of 9, necessitating caution with a burn time of 15 minutes. In contrast, January and December are comparatively milder, with UV indexes of 7 and 6 respectively, resulting in a high exposure category and longer burn times of 25 minutes. To ensure safety, residents and visitors should take preventive measures—such as seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen—especially during the peak months of April through September when sun exposure can lead to harmful skin damage in a very short time.
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 |
| 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 |
| Kunigami | 7 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 6 |