Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Lake Charles, United States, being aware of the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and enjoying the outdoors safely. With UV levels peaking at 12 around midday—a level that poses a significant risk of sunburn—understanding these measurements can help you take essential precautions for your skin health. The humid subtropical climate of Lake Charles brings long, sunny days, making it even more important to stay informed about daily UV exposure risks. By monitoring the UV Index, you can avoid the harmful effects of excessive sun exposure and keep your skin glowing and healthy all year round.
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins its ascent, starting from a gentle 1 at 07:00 and 08:00. By 09:00, it climbs to a moderate 3, but the real escalation hits by 10:00, reaching 6 as sunlight intensifies. The peak occurs at 12:00 with an impressive 11, and it edges even higher to 12 at 13:00, marking the day's highest UV exposure. This powerful sun begins to wane slightly, dropping to 11 at 14:00 and 9 by 15:00, before gently tapering off to a more manageable 7 at 16:00. As evening approaches, the index falls to 4 at 17:00, then continues to decline, settling back to 2 at 18:00 and returning to a safe 1 by 19:00. Stay protected and enjoy the sunny hours while being mindful of the UV intensity!
| 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 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 12 | 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 |
Throughout the year, the UV Index experiences significant fluctuations, peaking in the summer months. From January (UV Index 5) to February (UV Index 8), there's a clear increase, with March and April maintaining high levels (UV Index 9-10). May through August sees the highest readings, particularly reaching UV Index 12 in June and July, indicating extreme exposure risk, where skin can burn within just 10 minutes. As the year transitions to September and October, the UV Index begins to decline but remains in the very high category until November (UV Index 6) and finally returns to moderate in December. Visitors and residents should be particularly cautious between February and August—the high-risk months for UV exposure—by implementing protective measures such as wearing sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats, and seeking shade during peak sun 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 |
| Lake Charles | 5 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
| Houston UVI | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 |