Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Bedford, United States, understanding the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and maintaining overall health. With peak UV levels often reaching a striking 10 during midday hours, awareness of these fluctuating levels can help residents prevent sunburn and reduce long-term skin damage. The city's Dfa climate contributes to higher UV exposure, especially in the summer months, making it essential to monitor the UV Index regularly. By staying informed, you can enjoy the outdoors safely while safeguarding your skin against harmful ultraviolet rays.
Throughout the day, the UV Index exhibits a remarkable rise, peaking at 10 between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM, indicating a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Starting the morning at a mere 1 at 7:00 AM, the index steadily climbs as the sun ascends, hitting 5 by 10:00 AM and rapidly accelerating to 8 by 11:00 AM. After reaching its zenith at noon, the readings gradually decline through the afternoon, dropping to 4 by 5:00 PM and falling further to 1 by 7:00 PM. It's clear that careful sun protection is essential during the midday hours when the sun's strength is at its most intense.
Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
---|---|---|---|
07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
08:00 | 2 | 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 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
14:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
15:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
16:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
17:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
18:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
As the seasons change, so do the UV Index levels, significantly impacting sun exposure risk. High-risk months occur from April through September, with the peak UV Index reaching 11 in June, categorized as extreme, and a burn time of just 10 minutes. In contrast, January and December present the lowest risk, with UV Index levels of 3 and 2, respectively. Visitors and residents should be particularly cautious during the very high to extreme UV periods; wearing sunscreen, seeking shade, and wearing protective clothing are essential measures to minimize the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage. Regularly checking the daily UV Index will help ensure safe outdoor activities throughout the year.
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 |
Bedford | 3 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 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 |