Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Kanggye, North Korea, being aware of the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and preventing harmful sunburns. Understanding UV levels can help you make informed decisions about sun exposure, especially given the city's Dwb climate that often leads to higher UV levels during peak hours. With indices reaching as high as 10 from noon to early afternoon, residents and visitors alike must take precautions to safeguard their skin health. Whether you're enjoying outdoor activities or simply soaking up the sun's rays, staying informed about UV exposure risks is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle in this region.
At the break of dawn, the UV Index begins at a low of 1 at 7:00 AM, inviting early risers to enjoy the cool morning air. As the sun climbs higher, the intensity increases, peaking at 10 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM—the perfect time to seek shade and protect your skin. The afternoon sees a slight decline, with values dropping to 9 at 2:00 PM and easing down to 5 by 4:00 PM. As evening approaches, the UV levels taper off to 3 at 5:00 PM and return to a safe 1 by 7:00 PM, signaling a gentle close to the sun-soaked day. Remember, during peak hours, it’s crucial to step up your sun protection game!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV Index levels vary significantly, reflecting seasonal changes that can impact skin health. From January to February, the UV Index rises from 2 to 4, indicating a shift from low to moderate exposure risk, with burn times decreasing from 45 to 30 minutes. As spring progresses into March and April, the UV Index increases dramatically to 6 and 8 respectively, moving into the high and very high exposure categories, with burn times shortening to 25 and 15 minutes. The summer months of May through August show the highest UV exposure, peaking at 11 in August, where risk is classified as extreme and the burn time drops to just 10 minutes. In contrast, fall brings a decrease, with September at a very high level of 8, and October returning to high at 6. November and December see a significant reduction in UV risk, returning to moderate and low levels, with lengthy burn times of 30 to 45 minutes. Visitors and residents are advised to take precautions during high-risk months from March to August, including wearing protective clothing, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, and seeking shade to minimize the risk of skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hungnam UVI | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| Kanggye | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| Sunch'on UVI | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Hamhung UVI | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| Pyongyang UVI | 3 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Namp'o UVI | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 2 |