UV Index in Raleigh, United States

Last updated: June 2, 2025

Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents of Raleigh, North Carolina, especially during the warm months when the sun can be particularly intense. With UV levels reaching a maximum of 11 during midday, awareness of these fluctuations can significantly impact your skin health and help in preventing painful sunburns. Raleigh's Cfa climate offers a mix of hot summers and milder winters, resulting in varied UV exposure throughout the year. By staying informed about the UV Index, you can enjoy the outdoors safely while protecting your skin from harmful rays.

Hourly UV Index in Raleigh

At dawn, the UV Index starts at a gentle 1 by 07:00, indicating minimal exposure risk. As the sun climbs higher, the intensity rises sharply, reaching a maximum of 11 between 12:00 and 13:00—a time when protective measures are crucial. The peak UV Index highlights the importance of sun safety, as conditions can be particularly harsh. The afternoon sees a gradual decline, dipping to 8 by 15:00 and further decreasing to 3 by 17:00. As evening approaches, the index wanes to a mellow 1 by 19:00, suggesting a return to safer exposure levels. Keep in mind that tracking the UV Index throughout the day can help protect your skin from harmful rays!

Average solar exposure data for the current time of the year. Actual values may vary and depend on many factors, such as cloud cover, vegetation cover, surface type, etc.
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	7	high	25 min
11:00	9	very high	15 min
12:00	11	extreme	10 min
13:00	11	extreme	10 min
14:00	10	very high	15 min
15:00	8	very high	15 min
16:00	6	high	25 min
17:00	3	moderate	30 min
18:00	2	low	45 min
19:00	1	low	45 min

Monthly UV Index Trends in Raleigh

As the seasons change, so do the UV levels, significantly impacting both visitors and residents. January starts off with a moderate UV Index of 4, allowing for a burn time of 30 minutes. However, from February through August, the UV Index spikes, reaching an extreme level of 11-12, necessitating a stark reduction in burn time to just 10 minutes during peak months. March and April especially stand out as high-risk months with indices of 9 and 11, respectively, when exposure risks are pronounced. In contrast, September to November, while still high, see a slight decrease with indices ranging from 6 to 10. Visitors and residents are advised to take necessary precautions—wearing protective clothing, seeking shade, and applying sunscreen—during these higher UV months to mitigate the risk of skin damage.

Monthly Maximum UV Index for Raleigh, United States

The monthly maximum UV Index (UVI) represents the highest UV radiation level recorded each month in Raleigh. It measures the strength of ultraviolet radiation from the sun and helps assess the risk of sunburn and UV-related health issues.

Data source: Statistical UV Index data for Raleigh, based on information from the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

UV Risk Categories

Extreme (11+): Avoid the sun, stay in shade.
Very High (8-10): Limit sun exposure.
High (6-7): Use SPF 30+ and protective clothing.
Moderate (3-5): Midday shade recommended.
Low (0-2): No protection needed.

Compare Raleigh UV Index with Other United States Cities

The table above highlights how UV exposure in Raleigh compares to other major locations across United States. This comparison helps travelers and residents better understand regional sun intensity and plan outdoor activities with sun safety in mind.

Raleigh's solar exposure compared to other cities in United States. Generated using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information.
	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
Raleigh	4	7	9	11	11	12	11	11	10	8	6	4
Houston UVI	5	8	9	11	11	12	12	11	10	9	7	5