Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Joshua Tree, United States, is crucial for safeguarding your skin while enjoying this stunning desert paradise. The region's BWk climate often leads to high UV levels, especially during peak hours when the index can soar to 13—a level that demands serious attention. Awareness of these UV levels is essential for sunburn prevention and maintaining overall skin health. With the sun's intensity peaking between 11 AM and 1 PM, residents and visitors alike should take proactive measures to protect themselves, ensuring that their adventures under the bright California sun remain safe and enjoyable.
Throughout the day, the UV Index (UVI) experiences a notable ascent, peaking at 13 around 1:00 PM—a time that signals the highest risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Starting the day with a low 1 at 7:00 AM, the UVI climbs steadily, reaching 12 by noon. The intensity wanes post-peak, dropping back to 6 by 4:00 PM, and further decreasing to a mild 1 by 7:00 PM. Those planning outdoor activities should take heed of the peak hours between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, where the index hits critical levels, urging the use of sunscreen, hats, and shade to stay safe.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 6 | high | 25 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 fluctuates significantly, impacting how residents and visitors should approach sun safety. From March through August, the UV Index reaches its peak, with high-risk months identified as April, May, June, July, and August, where it remains in the extreme category, necessitating protective measures with a burn time of only 10 minutes. As summer transitions to fall, the UV Index begins to decline, though September and October still present very high exposure risks with burn times of 15 minutes. In contrast, the winter months of January, November, and December have a moderate UV Index, allowing for longer burn times of 30 minutes. Visitors and residents are advised to limit sun exposure, particularly during peak hours in high-risk months, and to use sunscreen, protective clothing, and sunglasses to safeguard against harmful UV rays.
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 |
| Joshua Tree | 4 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| Houston UVI | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 |