Last updated: May 3, 2025
In Westlake, United States, awareness of the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin health and preventing painful sunburns. Understanding UV levels helps residents and visitors alike to make informed decisions about sun exposure, especially during peak hours when the UV Index soars, reaching a maximum of 12 between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM. With a Cfa climate characterized by warm summers and ample sunshine, Westlake presents unique UV exposure risks—making it essential to stay informed and protect yourself from harmful ultraviolet rays while enjoying the outdoors.
The UV Index throughout the day paints a vivid picture of sun intensity, starting from a gentle 1 at 07:00 and gradually climbing as the sun rises higher. By 09:00, it reaches 3, but the real surge occurs at 10:00, leaping to 6. The peak comes at 12:00 with a blistering 11, continuing at 13:00 with a maximum of 12—a strong reminder for sun safety! As the afternoon unfolds, the intensity gracefully dips, falling to 9 by 15:00, then to 4 at 17:00. Finally, as daylight wanes, the UV levels drop back down to a soothing 2 by 18:00, and return to the calm 1 by 19:00. This progression showcases not only the sun's power but also the importance of taking protective measures, especially during midday hours!
| 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 | 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 | 6 | 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 |
| Westlake | 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 |