Last updated: May 3, 2025
The UV Index serves as a crucial tool for residents of Circle, United States, highlighting the importance of sun safety throughout the year. Understanding UV levels is vital for preventing sunburn and maintaining long-term skin health, as even brief exposure during peak hours can lead to harmful effects. With Circle's cold semi-arid climate (BSk), inhabitants experience unique UV exposure risks, particularly around midday when UV Index levels reach a peak of 8. Staying informed about these levels empowers the community to enjoy the outdoors safely, ensuring that everyone can make the most of their time in the sun!
The UV Index throughout the day presents a clear and vigorous pattern of intensity. As the sun rises at 07:00, the index starts at a gentle 1, indicating minimal risk. By 08:00, it climbs to 2, still in the low range, but things escalate quickly; by 09:00, it reaches 3. The sun's power peaks astonishingly at 12:00, hitting a maximum of 8, which signifies a high risk for unprotected skin. This intense exposure persists until 14:00, before gradually tapering off through the afternoon. By 15:00, the index drops to 7, then diminishes further to 5 at 16:00, and continues to decline into the evening hours, settling back down to 1 by 19:00. Those planning outdoor activities during the midday hours should take care to protect themselves from the sun’s powerful rays!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index exhibits significant seasonal changes, impacting sun safety practices. January and December have the lowest UV levels (Index 2), categorized as low exposure, allowing for longer burn times of 45 minutes. As spring approaches, February and March see a moderate increase (Index 3 and 5, respectively), with shorter burn times of 30 minutes. By April and May, UV exposure escalates to very high levels (Index 9 and 8), cutting burn time down to just 15 minutes. The peak months for UV exposure are June through August, when the index reaches 10 to 9. In September, the index remains high at 8 before falling back to moderate levels in October and November (Indexes 5 and 3). **Visitors and residents are advised to take protective measures, especially from April to September, when the risk of sunburn is significantly heightened. It's essential to apply sunscreen frequently, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during peak sun hours to ensure safety against harmful UV rays.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circle | 2 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 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 |