Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Krakow, Poland, as it plays a vital role in safeguarding your skin health and preventing painful sunburns. With a climate classified as Dfb, Krakow experiences varying UV levels throughout the day, peaking between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM when the index can reach as high as 7. By staying informed about UV exposure risks, you can take proactive measures to protect yourself from harmful rays and enjoy the beautiful outdoor settings that Krakow has to offer, all while keeping your skin safe and healthy.
The daily UV Index begins its journey at a mild 1 at 07:00, rising steadily as the sun climbs higher. By 09:00, it reaches 4, signaling increased intensity, and then peaks at an impressive 7 from 12:00 to 13:00—the ideal time for sun protection. As the afternoon progresses, the Index gently declines, dipping to 5 at 15:00 and 4 at 16:00. As daylight wanes, the index settles back to 2 by 17:00, and slips to 1 by 19:00. It’s evident that during the midday hours, vigilance is crucial to protect from harmful 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 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 13:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 14:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 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 |
The UV Index experiences notable fluctuations throughout the year, influencing both sun exposure and risk levels for skin damage. During the winter months, from December to February, the UV Index remains low (1-2), allowing for longer burn times of 45 minutes, making this a relatively safer period for sun exposure. However, as spring approaches, particularly in March, the UV levels rise to a moderate index of 4, indicating the need for increased caution with a reduced burn time of 30 minutes. The high-risk months occur from late spring to mid-summer, with May reaching an index of 7 and June and July peaking at 8, categorized as very high, significantly shortening safe exposure to just 15 minutes. As summer transitions to fall, the risk reduces but remains considerable in August (UV Index 7) and September (UV Index 6), before tapering off in the fall months of October through December. Visitors and residents are advised to protect their skin during high UV periods by wearing sunscreen, hats, and protective clothing, particularly in the peak months from April to August.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warsaw UVI | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Poznan UVI | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Lodz UVI | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Wroclaw UVI | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Krakow | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |