Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Panama City Beach is essential for protecting your skin and maintaining overall health under the golden sun. This vibrant coastal destination, with its Cfa climate, offers beautiful beaches and abundant outdoor activities, but UV levels can soar high, especially between late morning and early afternoon. With peak indices reaching 12 around 1 PM, awareness of these levels is crucial for preventing sunburn and minimizing long-term skin damage. By keeping an eye on the UV Index, you can enjoy the scenic beauty of Panama City Beach while safeguarding your skin from harmful effects.
The UV Index throughout the day showcases a striking pattern, peaking at an impressive 12 by 1 PM. Beginning with a gentle start of 1 at 7 AM, the index steadily climbs, hitting 10 by 11 AM and reaching its zenith at 12 during the warmest hour. As the afternoon progresses, a decline occurs, with the index tapering off to 8 at 3 PM, and gradually dropping to 1 by 6 PM. This indicates that the highest UV exposure is between 11 AM and 1 PM, urging outdoor enthusiasts to take precautions 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 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | 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 |
As the seasons change, so too does the UV Index, which significantly impacts exposure and burn time. From January's moderate UV Index of 5 with a burn time of 30 minutes, we enter a period of increasing risk; February through April sees a jump into the very high category, consistently reaching 8 to 10. The height of summer marks the peak danger, with May through July classified as extreme (UV Index 11 to 12), where just 10 minutes of exposure can lead to burns. August returns to an extreme level before tapering off in September and October to a very high index of 10 and 8 respectively. November and December bring a return to high and moderate levels, with more forgiving burn times of 25 and 30 minutes. Visitors and residents are advised to take necessary precautions, particularly during the high-risk months of February through October, wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade, especially during peak sunlight 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 |
| Panama City Beach | 5 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 |
| Houston UVI | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 |