Last updated: August 1, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents of Songnim-ni, North Korea, as it provides vital information for safeguarding your skin health. With peaks reaching 11 during the midday hours, the potential for sunburn is significant, making it essential to be aware of UV levels to prevent damage that can lead to long-term health issues. The city's temperate Dwa climate poses unique challenges, with high UV exposure risks especially prevalent in the summer months. By staying informed about the UV Index, you can enjoy the sunny days while protecting yourself from harmful rays.
At dawn, the UV Index starts at a gentle 1 and gradually rises as the sun climbs higher in the sky. By 09:00, it reaches a moderate 4, signaling a good time to enjoy some outdoor activities while still being cautious. However, between 11:00 and 13:00, the UV Index peaks dramatically at 10 and 11, marking the hours of highest intensity when sun safety measures are crucial. As the afternoon progresses, it slowly declines to 8 at 15:00, offering a bit of relief before dropping further to 3 by 17:00. As daylight wanes, the UV Index returns to a low 1 by 19:00, making it safe to enjoy the evening outdoors without concern for UV exposure.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 4 | 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 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
As the seasons change, so do the UV index levels and associated risks for skin damage. During the winter months of January to February, the UV index remains moderate (3-4), allowing for a 30-minute burn time. However, starting in March, the UV index escalates to high (6), indicating the need for increased sun protection. The high-risk months peak from April to August, with the UV index reaching very high (8-10) and even extreme levels (11) in August, where burn times drop to just 10 minutes. September sees a decline to very high (9), while October returns to high levels (6) with a longer burn time of 25 minutes. As winter returns in November and December, the sun's strength diminishes, with indexes dropping to moderate and low (4 and 2), leading to safer burn times of 30 and 45 minutes, respectively. It is crucial for visitors and residents to use sun protection consistently during high-risk months and limit direct sun exposure, especially during midday hours.
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 |
| 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 |
| Songnim-ni | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Namp'o UVI | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 2 |