Last updated: May 3, 2025
In Palm Springs, understanding the UV Index is crucial for ensuring your health and well-being under the sun. With its arid desert climate, residents and visitors alike face significant UV exposure, particularly during peak hours when the UV Index reaches levels 10 and 12, indicating a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Being aware of these UV levels is not just about preventing painful sunburns; it’s essential for long-term skin health and reducing the risk of skin cancer. By staying informed about the UV Index, you can enjoy all that our beautiful city has to offer while keeping your skin safe from the sun's powerful rays.
The UV Index today paints a vibrant picture of sun intensity, starting from a gentle 1 at 07:00 and reaching its peak at 12:00 with a striking 12. The morning hours see a gradual rise, with 09:00 climbing to a moderate 5 and 10:00 bringing it up to 8. As the sun reaches its zenith, the intensity escalates sharply to 10 by 11:00 and holds steady at 12 from 12:00 to 13:00. The afternoon sun begins to mellow after 14:00, dipping down to 10 and further declining to 8 by 15:00. As the day transitions into the evening, the UV Index gently recedes, returning to a mild 3 by 17:00, and finishing with a soft 1 from 18:00 onward. It's crucial to keep aware of these fluctuations to safeguard against overexposure!
| 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 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 12 | 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, the UV Index exhibits significant seasonal variation, peaking during the summer months. January sees a moderate UV Index of 4, requiring about 30 minutes for skin to burn, while February climbs to a high 6 with a burn time of 25 minutes. The most critical months for UV exposure are March through August, where the index reaches extreme levels, peaking at 12 in May, June, and July, with an alarming burn time of just 10 minutes. Even in September and October, the UV Index remains high at 11 and 8 respectively. Following a dip in November and December to moderate levels, it's essential for visitors and residents to remain vigilant during the high-risk months of March through October, employing sun protection strategies such as wearing sunscreen, hats, and protective clothing, especially during peak hours to reduce the risk of UV-related skin damage.
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 |
| Palm Springs | 4 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| Houston UVI | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 |