Last updated: May 3, 2025
In Fort Walton Beach, understanding the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and promoting overall health. With the region's warm Cfa climate, sunlight exposure can lead to varying UV levels throughout the day, making awareness essential for sunburn prevention and long-term skin health. The UV Index can peak at a blistering 11 around midday, indicating a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. By staying informed, residents and visitors can take proactive steps to enjoy the sun safely while minimizing the potential for skin damage.
Throughout the day, the UV Index experiences a dramatic increase, peaking at 11 between noon and 1 PM, indicating a very high level of solar radiation. Early risers will notice a gentle start, with a UV Index of just 1 at 7 AM, gradually climbing to 4 by 9 AM. As the sun reaches its zenith, values soar to 9 at 11 AM, signaling it's time to take precautions. After the peak, the UV Index begins to decline, dropping to 10 at 2 PM, then tapering off to 3 by 5 PM and resting back down to 1 by 6 PM. Staying protected in the midday sun is crucial for skin safety during these hours!
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 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
13:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
14:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
15:00 | 7 | high | 25 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 levels fluctuate, with high-risk months primarily falling between February and August. Notably, April to July feature an extreme UV Index of 11 to 12, necessitating precautions to limit sun exposure to just 10 minutes during peak hours. February and March present significant risks as well, with very high UV levels of 8 and 9, leading to burn times of only 15 minutes. To safeguard your skin, residents and visitors are advised to minimize exposure during peak sun hours, wear protective clothing, and use broad-spectrum sunscreen. As the year progresses, November and December offer lower UV levels, classified as high and moderate, respectively, allowing for longer safe exposure times of 25 to 30 minutes.
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 |
Fort Walton Beach | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 |
Houston UVI | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 |