Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors of Idyllwild, United States, where the sun's rays can be particularly strong, especially during midday hours. With Idyllwild’s Csa climate featuring warm summers and plenty of sunshine, awareness of UV levels is essential for sunburn prevention and long-term skin health. Forecasts indicate that UV levels can peak at 12 around noon—an important reminder to take protective measures. By keeping an eye on the UV Index, you can enjoy the great outdoors while safeguarding your skin from harmful UV radiation.
Starting the day with a low UV Index of 1 at 7:00 AM, the sun gradually climbs higher in the sky, causing the UV Index to rise sharply. By 10:00 AM, it reaches a moderate 7, but the real peak hits at 1:00 PM with a whopping 12 — a cautionary signal for everyone to seek shade and apply sunscreen. Fortunately, the intensity begins to wane later in the afternoon, dropping to 8 at 3:00 PM and continuing down to 1 by 7:00 PM. Remember, the sun might be at its brightest around midday, so stay protected during those high-risk hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 12 | 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 |
Throughout the year, UV Index levels experience notable changes, impacting sun exposure and burn risk for visitors and residents alike. The high-risk months are March through August, where the UV Index peaks at 12 and falls within the extreme exposure category, necessitating strict sun safety measures and limiting sun exposure to 10 minutes for optimal protection. Specifically, March marks a transition into higher UV values, soaring to 9, while April, May, June, and July feature extreme values that require heightened caution. As summer winds down, September and October still maintain a very high UV Index at 10 and 8, respectively, with 15-minute burn times. In contrast, the winter months of January, November, and December see moderate UV exposure, with a UV Index of 4-6 and 30-minute burn times. Visitors and residents should take proactive steps, such as wearing protective clothing and sunscreen, particularly during the high-risk months to minimize health risks associated with UV exposure.
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 |
| Idyllwild | 4 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| Houston UVI | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 |