Last updated: June 2, 2025
In West Yarmouth, understanding the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and overall health as you enjoy outdoor activities. With peak UV levels reaching a high of 10 during midday, awareness of these fluctuating indices can make all the difference in preventing painful sunburns and long-term skin damage. This seaside town, located in a Cfa climate zone, experiences significant UV exposure, especially in the summer months. By keeping an eye on the UV Index, residents and visitors alike can safely bask in the sun while safeguarding their skin and enjoying everything West Yarmouth has to offer.
As the sun rises, the UV Index starts off low at 1 around 07:00, indicating minimal risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. However, by 08:00, it climbs to a moderate 3, urging early risers to begin taking precautions. The intensity increases significantly throughout the morning, peaking at a robust 10 by 13:00—a strong reminder that sun safety is crucial. As the afternoon rolls in, the index gradually drops, hitting 7 at 15:00 before tapering back down to 1 by 19:00 as the sun sets. Plan your day wisely, protecting yourself from UV rays during peak hours around 11:00 to 14:00, where the risk is highest!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 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 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV exposure varies significantly, peaking during the late spring and summer months. From March to September, the UV Index escalates from 6 to a maximum of 10, indicating high to very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. April through September are particularly critical months, with May, June, July, and August having an extremely high UV Index of 9 or 10, resulting in a burn time of just 15 minutes for fair-skinned individuals. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautions during these high-risk months by wearing protective clothing, using broad-spectrum sunscreen, and seeking shade during peak sunlight hours. Conversely, November through February sees a decrease in UV levels, reaching a low of 2 in December, when exposure times can safely extend to 45 minutes.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Yarmouth | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 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 |