Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents of Ogallala, United States, as it plays a significant role in preventing sunburn and promoting overall skin health. With the area's BSk climate, the sun can be quite intense, especially during peak hours when the UV Index reaches harmful levels of 9 to 11 between noon and early afternoon. By keeping an eye on the daily UV readings, you can take proactive measures to protect yourself and your loved ones from potential skin damage, ensuring that your outdoor activities remain enjoyable and safe.
At 07:00 AM, the UV Index starts off low at 1, making it a good time for morning routines. By 08:00 AM, it rises slightly to 3, indicating a gentle increase in UV exposure. As the clock ticks to 09:00 AM, the index jumps to 5, hinting that sun protection is becoming more important. The intensity peaks at 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM, reaching a maximum of 11, which is very high; this is when staying in the shade or applying sunscreen becomes essential. After this mid-day break, the UV Index begins to decline, dropping to 10 at 2:00 PM, and continuing to decrease to 3 by 5:00 PM. Finally, by the evening hours of 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM, it settles back down to 2 and 1 respectively, offering a much safer environment for outdoor activities as daylight fades. Remember, during those peak hours, take precautions to protect your skin from harmful UV radiation!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 5 | 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 | 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, UV exposure varies significantly, with high-risk months typically occurring from March to September. During these months, particularly in April through July, the UV index reaches notably high levels, peaking at 11, which indicates extreme exposure risks and a quick burn time of just 10 minutes. As the seasons shift, visitors and residents should be particularly vigilant from May to August, when protective measures such as sunscreen, hats, and seeking shade are essential to prevent skin damage. In contrast, January, November, and December present a moderate UV index of 3-4, allowing for longer burn times of 30 minutes, though sunscreen should still be applied. Staying informed about these UV changes can help ensure safe outdoor activities year-round.
UV Risk Categories
| 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 |
| Ogallala | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| 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 |