Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for the residents and visitors of Koloa, Hawaii, where the sun shines brightly throughout the year. With UV levels peaking at a staggering 13 around midday, being aware of the UV Index helps prevent sunburn and protects your skin health against harmful radiation. Koloa's tropical climate brings with it elevated UV exposure risks, especially during the summer months, making it essential to stay informed and take necessary precautions. Whether you're lounging on the beach or exploring the outdoors, knowing the UV Index empowers you to enjoy the sun safely.
The UV Index today presents an interesting journey through the daytime hours. Starting from a gentle 1 at 07:00, the sun gradually intensifies, reaching a moderate 2 by 08:00. By 09:00, it's climbing rapidly, hitting 5 as the day warms up. Just after that, at 10:00, we see a significant leap to 8, before peaking at a staggering 12 at 12:00. The sun blazes on, reaching its zenith with a maximum of 13 at 13:00, providing plenty of reason to seek shade. As the afternoon progresses, the index starts to taper off, falling to 11 at 14:00, and then descending to 8 by 15:00. As the day winds down, the UV Index drops to 5 at 16:00, before settling back to 2 at 17:00 and eventually returning to a calm 1 by 18:00. As twilight sets in, the UV levels remain low at 1 until the end of the day at 19:00. It’s a perfect reminder to stay protected during the peak hours!
| 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 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index experiences notable seasonal variations, with the highest levels occurring from March to September. During this peak period, particularly from May to August, the UV Index reaches an extreme level of 13, necessitating a burn time as short as 10 minutes. January and February also present significant risk, featuring very high UV Index values of 8 and 10, respectively. Visitors and residents should remain vigilant during these high-risk months by limiting sun exposure, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen frequently. As the year progresses into October and November, while UV levels drop, caution is still advised due to remaining very high levels. December sees a slightly lower risk with a high exposure category, suggesting 25 minutes before burns occur. Prioritizing sun safety across all months is essential for protecting skin health.
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 |
| Koloa | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 |