Last updated: August 1, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Ocean City, United States is crucial for protecting your skin and overall health under the sun. With peak UV levels reaching a significant 10 around midday, awareness of UV exposure is essential to prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage. Ocean City, characterized by its humid subtropical climate, offers plenty of sunshine throughout the year, making it vital for residents and visitors to stay informed about UV risks. By monitoring the UV Index, you can enjoy the beautiful beaches and outdoor activities while safeguarding your skin from harmful effects.
The UV Index throughout the day showcases a dynamic pattern of sun exposure, peaking during the afternoon. At 07:00, the index starts low at 1, gradually increasing as the sun rises. By 10:00, it reaches 6, signaling a rise in sun intensity, culminating in a striking 10 from 12:00 to 13:00, indicating a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. As the day progresses, the UV Index declines, dropping to 3 by 17:00, and steadily returning to 1 by 19:00. This data highlights the importance of sun protection, especially during midday when the UV Index is at its highest.
| 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 | 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 Index levels exhibit notable seasonal variations that can significantly impact sun exposure. January and December have moderate UV conditions (Index 3), allowing for a 30-minute burn time, while February shows a slight increase to Index 5, maintaining a burn time of 30 minutes. As spring approaches, March reaches an elevated Index of 6, indicating high risk with a reduced burn time of 25 minutes. The risk peaks during the summer months—April through August—where the Index consistently hits 9 or 10, categorizing these months as very high risk for UV exposure, necessitating only 15 minutes of sun exposure before burning occurs. The risk diminishes slightly in September (Index 8) and October (Index 7) but remains significant, with shorter burn times of 15 and 25 minutes, respectively. November and December revert to moderate levels (Index 4 and 3). Visitors and residents are advised to take precautions during the high-risk months, particularly from April to September, by seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen to minimize the risk of UV-related skin damage.
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 |
| Ocean City | 3 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 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 |