Last updated: July 2, 2025
In beautiful Pontresina, Switzerland, awareness of the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin against harmful UV radiation. Understanding UV levels is essential not only for preventing painful sunburns but also for promoting long-term skin health. With its ET climate, Pontresina experiences varying UV exposure, peaking at an intense 11 between 1 PM and 2 PM. This highlights the importance of checking the UV Index daily to enjoy the outdoors safely while minimizing your risk of skin damage.
The UV Index begins its climb at 07:00, starting from a modest 1, and steadily ascends as the sun rises higher in the sky. By 10:00, it's reached 6, indicating a noticeable increase in UV exposure. The intensity peaks at 12:00, reaching a striking 10 and continuing to 11 at 13:00, marking the height of the midday sun's power. As the afternoon unfolds, the UV levels gradually decline, dropping to 9 at 15:00, then tapering off to 4 by 17:00. The evening brings a comfortable 3 at 18:00, before slipping back to 1 as dusk settles in at 19:00. It's a clear reminder to protect your skin during those peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 17:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV Index levels fluctuate, indicating varying risks associated with sun exposure. January and February see moderate UV levels (3 and 4), with a burn time of 30 minutes. However, as we transition into March, the index sharply rises to 7, marking the start of the high-risk season, which peaks in June and July at an extreme UV level of 11, where the burn time drops to a mere 10 minutes. April and May also present very high levels (8 and 10), urging caution. The risk remains significant through August and September with UV indices of 9 and 8, respectively. Finally, the year ends with a gradual decrease in UV exposure, settling back to moderate levels in November and a low level in December. Visitors and residents should prioritize sun safety by seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen during high-risk months, particularly from March through September.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basel UVI | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Bern UVI | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Zurich UVI | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Geneve UVI | 2 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Lausanne UVI | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Pontresina | 3 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 2 |