Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Al Bardiyah, Libya is essential for safeguarding your skin and overall health. With the region's BWh climate, residents and visitors alike face significant UV exposure, especially during midday hours when the index peaks at a blistering 12. Awareness of UV levels is crucial for effective sunburn prevention and maintaining skin health, as the higher the UV index, the greater the risk of harmful effects. As the sun rises, its intensity increases rapidly—so knowing when to seek shade or apply sunscreen can make all the difference in enjoying the beautiful Libyan sun while protecting your skin.
The UV Index today tells a dramatic story of sunlight intensity as the day progresses. Starting off gently at 1 by 7:00 AM, the sun begins its ascent and the index surges, reaching a moderate 3 by 8:00 AM. As we approach 9:00 AM, it climbs to 6, signifying that sunscreen might be wise. But the real heat kicks in at 10:00 AM with a striking 8, soaring to a peak of 12 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM—a serious warning to take protective measures. The afternoon sees a gradual decline as the index drops to 10 at 2:00 PM, and then steadily decreases through the later hours, settling back to 1 by 7:00 PM. Stay informed and protect your skin 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 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 12 | 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 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure varies significantly, with the highest risks occurring during the spring and summer months. The UV Index peaks in May and June, both reaching an extreme level of 12, where burn times drop to a mere 10 minutes. Following closely, July and August maintain an extreme exposure level of 12 and 11, respectively. March and April also present very high levels of UV radiation, with indices of 9 and 10 and shorter burn times. As the fall approaches, the UV Index begins to decline, with October registering a very high index of 9 before dropping to high in November and returning to moderate by December. Given these fluctuations, visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautionary measures—such as wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and sunglasses—especially during the high-risk months of March through September to minimize skin and eye damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tripoli UVI | 4 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| Al Khums UVI | 4 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| Misratah UVI | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| Benghazi UVI | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| Tarhuna UVI | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 |
| Al Bardiyah | 4 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 4 |