Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, where the sun’s rays can be intense due to its arid climate. Monitoring UV levels not only helps in preventing painful sunburns but also plays a pivotal role in maintaining long-term skin health. With peak UV readings soaring to 11 during midday hours, it's essential to be conscious of sun exposure, especially from late morning to early afternoon. Awareness of UV risks can significantly enhance your outdoor experience while protecting your skin from the harmful effects of excessive sun exposure.
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins at a modest 1 at 7:00 AM, slowly increasing throughout the morning. By 9:00 AM, it reaches 5, signaling a moderate level of UV exposure. The intensity peaks dramatically around 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM, hitting an impressive 11, indicating a very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. As the afternoon progresses, the index dips to 9 at 2:00 PM, and continues its decline, resting at 4 by 4:00 PM. The day winds down with values dropping to 1 by 6:00 PM and finally reaching 0 by 7:00 PM, marking the end of UV concerns for the day. Make sure to protect your skin during peak hours, especially between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM!
| 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 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index exhibits significant seasonal variations, peaking during the summer months. From January (UV Index 7) to March (UV Index 10), the risk of UV exposure gradually increases, reaching extreme levels in April, May, June, July, and August (UV Index 11), where the burn time is as low as 10 minutes. Following this peak, a slight decline occurs from September (UV Index 10) to November (UV Index 8), with burn times around 15 minutes. By December, the UV risk decreases again to an index of 6, allowing for a burn time of 25 minutes. Visitors and residents should be particularly cautious during the high-risk months of April through August, taking protective measures such as wearing sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses to minimize UV exposure and reduce the risk of sunburn.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yanbu | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 |
| Riyadh UVI | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 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 |