Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents of Skowhegan, United States, where sunny days can have a significant impact on skin health. With peak UV levels reaching 9 during midday hours, awareness is key to preventing sunburn and long-term skin damage. Skowhegan's Dfb climate zone offers a mix of warm summers and colder winters, but when the sun shines, the risk of harmful UV radiation rises rapidly. By keeping an eye on the local UV Index, you can enjoy the outdoors safely while protecting your skin from overexposure.
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 exhibits notable seasonal variations, with the highest levels occurring during the summer months. May and June stand out as the months with the highest risk, featuring very high UV Index values of 9 and 10, respectively, allowing for a burn time as short as 15 minutes. From April to August, the UV exposure is particularly concerning, with values of 7 or more, categorizing these months as high to very high risk for skin damage. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautions during these months, such as wearing protective clothing, using broad-spectrum sunscreen, and seeking shade, especially during midday hours when UV radiation is at its peak. As we transition into fall and winter, the UV Index decreases, becoming low in January and December, providing a reprieve from intense sun exposure and longer burn times of 45 minutes.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skowhegan | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 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 |