Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Poland as it plays a significant role in sunburn prevention and maintaining long-term skin health. With Poland's Dfb climate, characterized by distinct seasons and varying sunlight exposure, the UV levels can unexpectedly peak, especially during summer months. Awareness of the UV Index helps individuals take proactive steps to protect their skin; for instance, from 11 AM to 3 PM, values can soar to 9, indicating a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. By staying informed about daily UV levels, you can enjoy the outdoors safely without compromising your skin health.
The UV Index for the day reveals an intensifying sun, peaking between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM with a striking value of 9. Early in the day, at 7:00 AM, the index starts low at 1, allowing a gradual increase to 2 by 8:00 AM. As the hours progress, the UV exposure rises sharply, hitting 6 by 10:00 AM, and climbing to its maximum of 8 at 11:00 AM before reaching its zenith. After this midday spike, a gentle decline begins; the levels drop back to 8 at 2:00 PM, then 6 at 3:00 PM, and further decrease to 2 by 5:00 PM. The sun sets on the day’s UV journey with lingering low values of 1 for the last few hours. It's a reminder to stay protected during those peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index displays significant seasonal variations, with high-risk months primarily occurring from April to August. During this period, the UV Index reaches its peak at 10 in June, categorized as very high, necessitating a burn time of only 15 minutes for unprotected skin. As spring progresses into summer, it’s crucial for both visitors and residents to be vigilant, adopting sun safety measures such as applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak hours. In contrast, the UV Index drops to moderate categories in February, March, October, and November, with burn times ranging from 30 to 45 minutes. The lowest UV levels occur in January and December, where the exposure risk is classified as low. Ultimately, awareness of these seasonal changes is essential for maintaining skin health throughout the year.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | 2 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| 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 |
| Houston UVI | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 |