Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Whitehaven, United Kingdom is crucial for maintaining skin health and preventing sunburn. With its temperate maritime climate, Whitehaven experiences varying UV exposure levels throughout the day, peaking at a level 7 around midday. This highlights the importance of being aware of UV levels to protect yourself, especially during the summer months when risks can be higher. By keeping an eye on the UV Index, residents and visitors can enjoy the outdoors safely while minimizing the effects of harmful rays on their skin.
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins to climb steadily throughout the morning, peaking at an impressive 7 by 1:00 PM. Starting at a gentle 1 at 7:00 AM, it escalates to 6 at noon, emphasizing the increasing intensity of solar radiation. The midday hours, particularly from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, are crucial to take precautions, as the UV Index reaches its maximum of 7 during this time. Following the peak, the index begins to decline, settling to a mild 5 by 3:00 PM and tapering off to 1 by 7:00 PM. Remember to protect your skin during the peak hours to enjoy the sunshine safely!
| 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 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 13:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 14:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index experiences notable fluctuations, signaling varying levels of sun exposure risk. January and February present low risk with an index of 1-2 and a burn time of 45 minutes, making them safer months for sun exposure. As spring approaches, March and April show a moderate increase, reaching an index of 4-5, with a reduced burn time of 30 minutes. The peak risk occurs in the summer months of May to July, with the UV Index soaring to 7-8 and corresponding burn times dropping to 15-25 minutes. August sees a slight decline to an index of 6, still in the high category, while September and October return to moderate levels of 5-3. Moving into winter, November and December revert to low exposure risks with indexes of 2-1 and longer burn times. For visitors and residents, it is crucial to be particularly cautious from May through July, ensuring proper sun protection measures such as sunscreen and clothing during these high-risk months, while enjoying the outdoors safely during the lower-risk periods.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitehaven | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 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 |