Last updated: July 2, 2025
St Ives, United Kingdom, boasts a stunning coastal climate that attracts both locals and visitors, but understanding the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin. As UV levels can rise significantly, especially around midday, awareness of these levels helps prevent sunburn and promotes long-term skin health. The typical Cfb climate of St Ives brings not just beautiful days, but also notable UV exposure risks, particularly during the summer months. With a peak UV Index reaching 8 during the afternoon, staying informed and taking the necessary precautions will ensure you enjoy the sun safely while exploring all that this picturesque town has to offer.
As the sun rises, the UV Index starts at a gentle 1 at 07:00, gradually climbing to a moderate 2 by 08:00. By 09:00, it reaches a 3, indicating that sun protection is becoming more important. The day's peak occurs at 12:00, when the UV Index hits a high of 8, prompting caution for prolonged exposure. This intensity remains steady until 14:00, before tapering off slowly. At 15:00, it drops to 7, then decreases to 6 by 16:00, and falls further to 4 at 17:00. As the day winds down, the index retreats to a soothing 2 by 18:00 and concludes at 1 by 19:00, making the evening safe for outdoor strolls. Remember 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 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 6 | 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 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 17:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index experiences notable changes throughout the year, with high-risk months typically occurring from April to August. In this period, the UV Index peaks at 9 in June, indicating a very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure, where the burn time drops to just 15 minutes. As spring transitions to summer, individuals should be especially vigilant, with April (UV Index 6) and May (UV Index 7) also classified as high risk months, requiring shorter burn times of 25 minutes. Conversely, the beginning of the year and late fall see lower UV levels, with January and February maintaining a UV Index of 2 and a burn time of 45 minutes. Visitors and residents are advised to take appropriate precautions during the high-risk months, such as wearing sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses while seeking shade during peak sun hours, to protect against potential skin damage.
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 |
| 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 |
| St Ives | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |