Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Cedar Key, United States, understanding the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and overall health. The UV Index measures the intensity of ultraviolet radiation from the sun, providing vital information to help prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage. With a Cfa climate, Cedar Key experiences warm temperatures and ample sunshine, which can lead to higher UV exposure, especially during peak hours from 10 AM to 2 PM when the index can reach a maximum of 12. Being aware of these levels empowers you to take proactive steps to enjoy the outdoors safely, ensuring you can soak up the sun without compromising your skin health.
As the sun rises, the UV Index starts low at 1 at 07:00 and remains moderate until 09:00. However, by 10:00, the intensity escalates to a notable 5, marking the beginning of peak UV exposure. The highest readings occur between 12:00 and 14:00, where it reaches a staggering 12—an indication that protective measures are essential to avoid sunburn. As the day transitions towards evening, the index gradually declines, dropping to 8 at 16:00 and falling further to 1 by 19:00. This hourly UVI assessment clearly highlights the importance of sun safety during midday hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 17:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV exposure varies significantly, peaking during the summer months. January and December experience a moderate UV Index of 5, allowing for 30 minutes of safe sun exposure. As we move into February and March, the UV Index escalates to a very high level of 8 and 10, respectively, with shorter burn times of 15 minutes. The spring months of April and May reach extreme levels of 11, requiring extra precautions with a burn time of only 10 minutes. June and July maintain the extreme index level of 12, emphasizing the necessity for sun protection. As late summer transitions into fall, August drops slightly to 11, followed by September and October with a very high index of 10 and 9, where burn times revert to 15 minutes. In November, the UV index decreases to 7, categorized as high, allowing for 25 minutes of sun exposure. Visitors and residents are advised to take precautionary measures especially from February to August, including wearing protective clothing, utilizing sunscreen with high SPF, and seeking shade during peak sun hours to mitigate 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 |
| Houston UVI | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 |
| Cedar Key | 5 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 |