Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents of Richmond, United States, as it directly impacts sun safety and skin health. The UV Index measures the strength of ultraviolet radiation from the sun, helping you protect yourself from harmful effects like sunburn and long-term skin damage. Richmond's Dfb climate often brings warm summers with significant UV exposure, especially during peak hours from 11 AM to 3 PM, when levels can soar to 9. By staying informed about the daily UV Index, you can enjoy the outdoors safely while minimizing the risk of UV-related health issues.
Today’s UV Index paints a vivid picture of sun intensity as it climbs to its peak during midday. Starting from a gentle 1 at 07:00 and 08:00, the sun begins to rise in strength, reaching a 3 by 09:00. By 10:00, it escalates to 4, and then dramatically spikes to a high of 9 between 13:00 and 14:00—a time for caution if you're outdoors! Thankfully, the intensity starts to decline after this peak, tapering off to 6 by 16:00, and easing to 1 again by 19:00. Plan your sun exposure wisely and enjoy the beautiful day while staying protected!
| 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 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 17:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index shows significant seasonal variations that influence sun exposure risks for both visitors and residents. From January to March, the index starts low at 2 but rises to 5 by March, indicating moderate exposure risks with burn times decreasing from 45 minutes to 30 minutes. The spring and summer months, particularly April to August, present the highest risks, with UV Index values soaring to 9 and 10 during the peak months of May and June. Here, the burn time drops dramatically to just 15 minutes, categorizing these months as very high risk. September sees a slight decrease to 7 (high exposure) while October and November return to moderate levels with indices of 5 and 4. As winter arrives in December, the UV Index falls to 2, marking a return to low exposure risks. It's crucial for everyone to be aware of these fluctuations: during high-risk months, especially from April to August, it is advisable to limit sun exposure, wear protective clothing, and apply sunscreen regularly to prevent skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | 2 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 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 |