Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is essential for residents and visitors in Al Manamah, United Arab Emirates, where the sun shines brightly for much of the year. The UV levels can rise dramatically, peaking around noon with values reaching as high as 11, indicating extreme risk for harm from unprotected sun exposure. This awareness is crucial not only for preventing painful sunburns but also for maintaining long-term skin health, especially in a BWh climate that offers intense sunlight and prolonged exposure. Being mindful of these UV readings ensures you can enjoy the beautiful outdoors while effectively protecting your skin from potential damage.
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 notable seasonal changes, with high-risk months primarily occurring from February to September, where the index peaks at 12 in May. From January to March, the index rises sharply, with February classified as very high and a burn time of just 15 minutes. The most critical months for sun exposure are March through August, all categorized as extreme, allowing only 10 minutes of safe sun exposure before skin damage can occur. As summer transitions into fall, the risk slightly decreases, but September and October remain at very high levels, with burn times of 15 minutes. Residents and visitors are strongly advised to take precautions during these peak months, including wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade, especially during midday hours when UV radiation is strongest.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai UVI | 6 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
| Ajman City UVI | 6 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
| Abu Dhabi UVI | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 |
| Ras Al Khaimah City UVI | 6 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 5 |
| Sharjah UVI | 6 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 |
| Al Manamah | 6 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 |