Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Lahore, Pakistan, awareness of the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and overall health. Understanding UV levels not only aids in preventing painful sunburns but also plays a vital role in reducing long-term skin damage and the risk of skin cancer. Given Lahore's BSh climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and intense sunlight, residents and visitors must be vigilant about UV exposure, especially during peak hours when indexes can soar to a perilous 11 around noon. By staying informed and taking necessary precautions, you can enjoy the sunshine while keeping your skin safe.
The UV Index early in the day starts off modest, peaking at 2 by 07:00 and climbing to a moderate 3 by 08:00. By 09:00, it surges to a robust 6, indicating increasing sun intensity. The heat reaches its zenith at 12:00, hitting an impressive 11, showing that midday is the prime time for sun exposure. As the afternoon progresses, the UV Index gradually declines, falling to 10 at 13:00, then to 8 by 14:00. By late afternoon, 15:00 sees it drop to 6, and as the sun sets, the index continues to taper off, descending to 3 by 16:00, and eventually settling at a low 0 by 19:00. It’s a day that underscores the importance of sun protection during peak hours, especially around noon.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
As the seasons change, so do the UV levels, significantly impacting exposure risks throughout the year. From January to February, the UV Index remains at a moderate level of 4-5, allowing for a burn time of 30 minutes. By March, the index sharply rises to 9, categorized as very high, and continues through April and May, where it peaks at 10. The summer months of July and August reach an extreme level of 11, significantly lowering burn time to just 10 minutes. As temperatures cool in September with a UV Index of 8, the risk remains considerable. October shows a drop to a high level of 6 before falling back to moderate levels of 4 in both November and December. Given this data, it is crucial for visitors and residents to take extra precautions during March to August, particularly on days with a UV Index of 10 or higher, by seeking shade, wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, and applying sunscreen regularly to minimize the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rawalpindi UVI | 4 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Lahore | 4 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Faisalabad UVI | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Multan UVI | 4 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Karachi UVI | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 6 |