Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in West Kilbride, United Kingdom, is essential for safeguarding your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. With our unique Cfb climate, residents and visitors alike should be aware of daily UV levels to prevent sunburn and protect overall skin health. The UV Index can peak as high as 8 around midday, signaling a moderate to high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. By staying informed about these levels, you'll be better equipped to enjoy the sunny days while minimizing skin damage, ensuring that your time outdoors is both safe and enjoyable.
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins its gentle ascent, starting at a modest 1 at 07:00. By 08:00, it nudges up to 2, and as the morning progresses, it reaches 3 by 09:00. The real surge occurs around 10:00, hitting 4 and continuing to climb to a peak of 8 at 13:00. The intensity slightly dips to 7 from 14:00 to 15:00, before gradually descending in the late afternoon: 5 at 16:00, 4 at 17:00, and eventually settling back to 2 by 18:00. As night draws near, the UV Index trends down to a calming 1 at 19:00, reminding us to take care under the midday sun and protect our skin during those high UV 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 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 13:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Understanding seasonal UV changes is crucial for both visitors and residents. From January to February, the UV Index remains low (1-2), allowing for longer safe exposure times of 45 minutes. However, as March approaches, the UV Index rises to 3 (moderate), reducing safe burn time to 30 minutes. The high-risk months are May through August, with the UV Index peaking at 8 during June and July (very high exposure), where burn time drops to just 15 minutes. September to October sees a decrease to moderate levels (5-3), while November and December return to low (1), extending burn time back to 45 minutes. To stay safe, during the summer months, it's essential to wear protective clothing, use sunscreen, and limit sun exposure, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Kilbride | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 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 |