Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Retford, United Kingdom, staying informed about the UV Index is essential for safeguarding your skin and overall health. Understanding UV levels can help you prevent painful sunburns and reduce the risk of long-term skin damage. With a Cfb climate, Retford experiences varied levels of UV exposure throughout the day, peaking at 8 around midday. As the sun’s rays can be deceptively strong even on cloudy days, being aware of the UV Index empowers residents to enjoy the outdoors safely while promoting better skin health.
Starting the day with a gentle UV Index of 1 at 7:00 AM, the sun gradually intensifies, reaching 2 by 8:00 AM. By 9:00 AM, the index climbs to 4, marking the beginning of a more active sun exposure period. The peak arrives at 12:00 PM, where the UV Index hits a robust 8, indicating that it's time to seek shade and lather on the sunscreen. Throughout the afternoon, the levels maintain a high of 8 until 2:00 PM, before gently tapering off to 7 by 3:00 PM and gradually declining to 5 by 4:00 PM, and further down to 3 by 5:00 PM. As the day winds down, the index falls to 2 at 6:00 PM and finally settles back to 1 by 7:00 PM, signaling a safe return to outdoor activities as the sun sets. Stay sun-smart and enjoy your day!
| 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 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV Index values fluctuate significantly, indicating varying levels of sun exposure risk. The high-risk months are from May to August, where the UV Index reaches its peak at 7-8, classifying them as high to very high exposure. Specifically, June and July present the greatest risk, with a burn time of only 15 minutes. In contrast, the winter months (January, February, November, and December) show a low exposure category with UV Index values of 1-2, allowing for longer safe sun exposure (up to 45 minutes). To ensure safety, it is advisable for visitors and residents to take protective measures during the high UV months, such as wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade, especially during midday hours.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool UVI | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Sheffield UVI | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Retford | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Birmingham UVI | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| London UVI | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Bristol UVI | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |