Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Central City, understanding the UV Index is crucial for maintaining optimal skin health and preventing sunburn. With its Dfc climate, residents and visitors alike often face significant UV exposure, particularly during peak hours when indices can soar as high as 13. This awareness empowers you to take necessary precautions, ensuring that your time spent outdoors is both enjoyable and safe. By keeping a close eye on UV levels, you can protect your skin from harmful rays while soaking up what Central City’s sunny days have to offer.
Throughout the day, the UV Index experiences a dynamic shift, peaking at an impressive 13 between 1 PM and 2 PM, indicating a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. The morning starts gently, with a UV Index of 1 at 7 AM, gradually rising to 4 by 9 AM. As the sun inches higher, the intensity increases sharply, reaching 10 by 11 AM and soaring to 12 by noon. Post-peak, the index begins to decline, dropping to 10 at 3 PM, before settling back to a mild 2 by 6 PM. This clear progression emphasizes the importance of sun protection during the midday hours when the UV Index is at its highest. Enjoy the sunshine, but remember to stay safe! ☀️
| 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 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 17:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
As the seasons change, so do the UV index levels, significantly impacting skin safety for both visitors and residents. January begins with a moderate UV index of 4, allowing for 30 minutes of safe exposure, but February sees an increase to 6, marking the onset of high-risk months. The spring months of March and April bring sharply rising levels, peaking in April at an extreme index of 13, where burn time is limited to just 10 minutes. The summer months of May through August remain critical, maintaining an index of 13 and 12, while September starts to show a slight decrease with a return to a very high UV index of 10. As October transitions to a high index of 7, November and December return to moderate levels at 5 and 4, respectively, allowing for more extended safe exposure times. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to practice sun safety, particularly during the peak months of April to August, by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak sun hours.
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 |
| Houston UVI | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 |
| Central City | 4 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 4 |