Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents of Oswego, United States, where sun exposure can pose significant risks to skin health. With summer days bringing high UV levels, particularly around midday when the index can soar up to 11, awareness becomes essential for effective sunburn prevention and long-term skin protection. Oswego's Cfa climate means warm summers and varied exposure, making it vital to check daily UV levels to safeguard against harmful rays, ensuring you enjoy the sunshine while keeping your skin safe.
The UV Index reveals a dynamic daily pattern, starting from a low of 1 at 7:00 AM, and gradually climbing to a peak of 11 between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM. As the sun reaches its zenith, 12:00 PM also sees a high of 10, signaling an urgent need for sun protection. After this peak, a downward trend persists, with readings dropping to 7 by 4:00 PM, and further declining to 1 by 7:00 PM. This data underscores the importance of remaining vigilant about UV exposure during the midday hours when the risk is greatest, highlighting the necessity of precautions like sunscreen and protective clothing.
| 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 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 7 | 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, which pose varying risks for sun exposure. January and December maintain moderate UV levels (3), allowing for a burn time of 30 minutes, while February sees a slight increase to 5. March marks the onset of higher risks with a UV index of 7, categorized as high, and a reduced burn time of 25 minutes. The months of April and May reach an alarming UV index of 10, labeled as very high, where burn time drops to just 15 minutes. The peak of danger occurs during June and July, with an extreme UV index of 11, demanding caution with an even shorter burn time of 10 minutes. August and September continue to present significant risks, both at a UV index of 10 and 9, respectively. As the year winds down, October sees a decrease to a high level of 7, while November and December return to moderate levels. Visitors and residents should prioritize sun protection during the high-risk months of March through September, especially during the peak summer months of June and July, by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak hours to prevent skin damage.
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 |
| Oswego | 3 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 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 |