Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents of Elkhart, United States, where the potential for harmful ultraviolet exposure can vary significantly throughout the day. As the UV Index peaks midday, awareness of these levels can help protect against sunburn and long-term skin health issues. Elkhart’s Dfa climate brings sunny summers and cooler winters, which means that during warmer months, UV exposure can reach a high of 10—indicating a very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Stay informed and take precautions to enjoy the outdoors safely!
As the sun rises, the UV Index starts off low, hitting just 1 by 07:00 and maintaining that level through 08:00. However, as the morning progresses, anticipation builds with a steady climb to 3 by 09:00 and peaking at a noteworthy 5 by 10:00. The intensity escalates sharply, reaching a maximum of 10 between 13:00 and 14:00, indicating a significant risk for unprotected skin. Gradually, the UV Index begins to decline, dropping back to 9 at 15:00 and easing down to 5, 3, and finally 2 as the day winds down through 17:00 to 19:00. A day to remember for sun seekers, but remember to apply that sunscreen during peak 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 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 17:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 19:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV exposure varies significantly, with notable spikes during the summer months. January and February have a moderate UV Index of 3 and 5, respectively, allowing for around 30 minutes of sun exposure before burning. However, as spring approaches, March sees an increase to a high UV Index of 6, reducing burn time to 25 minutes. The intensity peaks in April and continues through August, where the UV Index reaches a very high level of 9 or 10, resulting in only 15 minutes of safe exposure. September starts to ease with an index of 8, followed by a return to high levels in October (6) and gradually decreasing to moderate levels in November and December (4 and 3, respectively). High-risk months for UV exposure are from April through September, during which residents and visitors are advised to take precautions such as using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and limiting sun exposure during peak 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 |
| Elkhart | 3 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| 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 |