Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents of Birmingham, Alabama, where sunny days often bring increased exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays. Awareness of UV levels not only helps in preventing painful sunburns but also plays a vital role in maintaining long-term skin health. With Birmingham's humid subtropical climate boasting hot summers, the region can experience high UV exposure, especially during midday. From a peak UV Index of 11 around noon to elevated levels in the morning, keeping track of the UV Index empowers you to protect your skin and enjoy the sunshine safely.
The UV Index for the day showcases a dynamic rise and fall, peaking at a remarkable 11 around 1 PM. Early risers will note a gentle start with values of 1 at 7 AM, slowly increasing to 2 by 8 AM. As the sun continues its ascent, the index escalates rapidly, reaching 4 by 9 AM and 7 by 10 AM. The intensity peaks at 12 PM, hitting a stunning 10, and shortly after, the day's highest value of 11 at 1 PM. As the afternoon wanes, the UV levels begin to decline, dropping to 8 at 3 PM, and further decreasing to 3 by 5 PM, before settling back to a safe 1 by 6 PM and 7 PM. Pay attention to this pattern, as it highlights the hours when sun safety is crucial!
| 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 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index varies significantly throughout the year, peaking during the summer months and indicating the best precautions for sun exposure. January and December see moderate UV levels (Index 4), with a burn time of 30 minutes. February marks the transition to high UV levels (Index 7) and a reduced burn time of 25 minutes. The high-risk period begins in March, escalating to very high levels (Index 8 and higher) in April and an extreme UV Index of 11 from May through August. Visitors and residents should take extra precautions during these months, limiting sun exposure to just 10 minutes and using protective clothing, sunscreen, and shade to prevent skin damage. Risk levels decrease in September and October, providing some relief, though caution should still be exercised given the high index readings. In summary, stay vigilant during the peak months of May to August, ensuring safe sun practices to guard against harmful UV radiation.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago UVI | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Brooklyn UVI | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| New York City UVI | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Los Angeles UVI | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Birmingham | 4 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 4 |
| Houston UVI | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 |