Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in At Taraf, Saudi Arabia is essential for safeguarding your skin health under the region's intense sun. The UV Index measures the strength of ultraviolet radiation, providing critical information for preventing sunburn and long-term skin damage. With a hot desert climate typical of the BWh zone, residents and visitors face significant exposure risks, especially during peak hours—from 10 AM to 12 PM, when the index hits a maximum of 12. Staying informed about UV levels empowers you to make proactive choices for sun safety, ensuring your time in the sun is enjoyable and risk-free.
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins at a modest 2 at 7:00 AM, gradually climbing through the morning. By 9:00 AM, it spikes to a robust 8, reaching its peak at 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM with an intense 12. As the afternoon unfolds, the index dips to 10 at 1:00 PM, before declining further to 5 by 3:00 PM. The evening brings a gentle fade, with levels dropping to 1 by 5:00 PM, and ultimately falling to 0 after 7:00 PM. This data underscores the importance of sun protection during peak hours when UV intensity is at its highest.
Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
---|---|---|---|
07:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
08:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
09:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
10:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
11:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
12:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
14:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
15:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
16:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
As the seasons change, so do the UV Index levels, significantly impacting sun exposure risk. January experiences a high UV Index of 7, with a burn time of 25 minutes, while February sees an increase to 9 (very high, burn time 15 min). The peak months for UV exposure are March to August, where the index reaches an extreme level of 11 to 12 with a critical burn time of just 10 minutes. Following this, October drops to 9 (very high), and a gradual decrease continues into November (high, burn time 25 min) and December (high, burn time 25 min). Visitors and residents are advised to be particularly cautious and apply sunscreen regularly during the high-risk months from February to August, ideally seeking shade and wearing protective clothing during peak hours to minimize skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Riyadh UVI | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 6 |
At Taraf | 7 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 6 |
Mecca UVI | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
Jeddah UVI | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 6 |
Sultanah UVI | 7 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 6 |
Medina UVI | 7 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 6 |