Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Dharan, Nepal is crucial for ensuring your skin remains healthy and protected from the sun's harmful rays. With a climate categorized as Cwa, Dharan experiences significant UV exposure, particularly during the midday hours when levels can soar to a severe 12. Awareness of UV levels is essential for sunburn prevention and long-term skin health, enabling residents and visitors alike to take necessary precautions against skin damage. As local sunshine peaks, especially around 10 AM to 12 PM, knowing the UV Index empowers you to enjoy the outdoors safely while minimizing risks associated with excessive sun exposure.
The UV Index for the day shows a significant peak around midday, starting at 3 at 7:00 AM and escalating to a striking 12 at both 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM. It's during these hours that the sun's rays are most intense, making it crucial to take protective measures if you're outdoors. By 1:00 PM, the index begins to decline to 9, signaling a gradual evening transition, and continues to drop further, reaching 4 by 3:00 PM and diminishing to 1 by 5:00 PM. As the day winds down, the UV Index finally settles at 0 by 6:00 PM, indicating a clear end to any sun exposure risks. Stay safe and enjoy the sunlight, but remember to protect your skin when UV levels are at their highest!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 08:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 09:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 10:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 11:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV Index levels vary significantly, indicating changing seasonal UV exposure risks. The highest risk months typically occur from March to September, with peaks in July (UV Index 14) and August (UV Index 13), where the exposure category reaches extreme levels, and the burn time shortens to just 10 minutes. As the UV Index increases from January's moderate levels to the extreme levels of summer, visitors and residents should take precautions. It’s essential to wear protective clothing, apply broad-spectrum sunscreen frequently, and seek shade during peak sunlight hours, especially in the high-risk months of May through September, to minimize the risk of skin damage. In contrast, October through December presents lower UV risk, making it safer for outdoor activities with less stringent protection measures needed.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biratnagar UVI | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 5 |
| Birganj UVI | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 5 |
| Dharan | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 5 |
| Patan UVI | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Kathmandu UVI | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Pokhara UVI | 7 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 6 |