Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Central Heights-Midland City, being aware of the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. Understanding UV levels is key to preventing sunburn, reducing the risk of skin cancer, and maintaining overall skin health. With a climate classified as Csa, which typically boasts warm summers, residents face unique UV exposure risks, especially during peak hours when the index can soar to an intense 12 around midday. By keeping track of the UV Index, you can enjoy the sun safely while taking proactive measures to shield yourself from its potentially damaging effects.
The UV Index throughout the day exhibits a striking pattern, peaking at an intense 12 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM, marking it as a crucial time for sun protection. As the sun rises, the index climbs steadily from a mild 1 at 7:00 AM to a moderate 3 by 8:00 AM. It reaches 6 by 9:00 AM and escalates further to 8 at 10:00 AM. The midday sun asserts its strength with a 11 at 11:00 AM before hitting the maximum at 12. Following this peak, the UV Index begins its gradual decline, dropping to 10 at 2:00 PM, then falling to 7 by 3:00 PM. The later hours see a further reduction, with values slipping to 5 by 4:00 PM and tapering off to 1 again by 6:00 PM. Stay sun-safe during those peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV exposure varies significantly, with the high-risk months being March through August, when the UV Index peaks at 12, indicating extreme exposure levels. Specifically, April, May, and June consistently show this maximum UV Index, resulting in a burn time of only 10 minutes for unprotected skin. As summer transitions to fall, the UV Index gradually decreases, but still poses a very high risk in September and October with indices of 10 and 8, respectively. Residents and visitors should remain vigilant, particularly from March to August, and take protective measures, such as applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak sunlight hours to minimize the risk of skin damage. In contrast, the winter months of January and December see lower UV exposure, categorized as moderate, with longer burn times of 30 minutes, making sun protection less critical but still advisable.
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 |
| Central Heights-Midland City | 4 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 |
| Houston UVI | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 |