Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Capitan, United States is essential for safeguarding your skin against harmful ultraviolet radiation. With peak UV levels reaching up to 12 during midday, the risk of sunburn—and long-term skin damage—can escalate rapidly. By staying informed about UV exposure, residents and visitors can take proactive steps to protect their skin health and enjoy outdoor activities safely. Capitan's BSk climate—characterized by its arid conditions and high UV radiation—calls for vigilance around sun protection, particularly during the sun's brightest hours. Prioritizing UV awareness is key to ensuring a healthy, enjoyable experience under the Capitan sun.
As the sun rises, the UV Index starts off low at 1 by 07:00, gradually climbing to a moderate 2 by 08:00. Things heat up by 09:00, where the index reaches 4, signaling a need for caution. 10:00 brings a sharp surge to 7, followed by a peak of 12 at both 12:00 and 13:00, indicating high levels of UV radiation. As the afternoon unfolds, the index begins to dip, dropping to 11 at 14:00 and then gradually decreasing to 9 by 15:00. By 16:00, the value lowers to 6, and as evening approaches, the levels continue to decline, reaching 3 at 17:00 and finally settling back to 2 by 18:00 and 1 by 19:00. It's a day that emphasizes the importance of sun protection, especially during those peak hours between 10:00 and 14:00.
| 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 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 9 | 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 |
The UV Index exhibits significant seasonal fluctuations, with the highest levels occurring between April and September. During these months, particularly from June to August, the UV Index peaks at 13, categorizing exposure as extreme and resulting in a rapid burn time of just 10 minutes. February and March also present high-risk conditions with indices of 8 and 10, respectively. As such, visitors and residents alike should exercise caution and take protective measures, especially during the high-risk months of April through September. This includes seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen regularly to mitigate the risk of UV exposure and skin damage. In contrast, the UV Index lowers significantly in January, November, and December, where the exposure is categorized as moderate to high, allowing for longer safe exposure times of 30 minutes and 25 minutes respectively.
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 |
| 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 |
| Capitan | 5 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 5 |