Last updated: July 2, 2025
In the picturesque city of Obanazawa, Japan, being aware of the UV Index is essential for maintaining skin health and preventing sunburn. With a climate categorized as Cfa, Obanazawa experiences varying UV levels throughout the day, peaking at a striking 11 between noon and 1 PM. Understanding these UV levels is crucial, as even low exposures can lead to long-term skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer. Protect yourself and enjoy the sun safely by staying informed about the UV Index—your skin will thank you!
During the day, the UV Index experiences a significant peak, reaching a maximum of 11 between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM, indicating a very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. The index rises steadily from 3 at 7:00 AM to hit 9 at 10:00 AM, before surging past 10 just before noon. As the afternoon progresses, the intensity of UV rays begins to decline, dropping to 7 by 2:00 PM and further down to 5 by 3:00 PM. Transitioning into the evening, the threat diminishes significantly, with the UV Index plummeting to 1 by 5:00 PM and eventually reaching 0 after 7:00 PM. It's essential to take precautions during the peak hours to protect your skin from harmful UV radiation!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 08:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 10 | 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 experiences significant fluctuations, peaking during the summer months. January and December see a moderate UV Index of 3, with a burn time of 30 minutes. As early as February, the Index rises to 5, indicating a continued moderate exposure. However, March marks the onset of high risk with an Index of 7, reducing burn time to 25 minutes. The real concern arises from April to August, where the Index reaches very high (9-10) and even extreme levels (11) in July and August, with dangerously short burn times of just 10-15 minutes. The season begins to taper off in September (UV Index 9) and October (UV Index 6), before returning to moderate levels in November and December. For visitors and residents, it is crucial to take protective measures, especially from April to August, by seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen rigorously to prevent harmful UV exposure.
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 |
| Obanazawa | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 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 |