Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is essential for residents and visitors in Ruidoso Downs, United States, where the sun's intensity can pose significant risks. With the region's Csb climate, the UV levels can escalate quickly, particularly around midday, peaking at 12 and even reaching 13 during afternoon hours. Awareness of these levels is critical for sunburn prevention and maintaining skin health, helping individuals make informed decisions about sun protection. By keeping an eye on the UV Index, you can enjoy the beautiful outdoor activities Ruidoso Downs has to offer while safeguarding your skin from the harmful effects of overexposure.
The UV Index today presents a dramatic shift as the sun climbs higher in the sky. Starting at a mild 1 at 7:00 AM, the intensity rises steadily, reaching 2 by 8:00 AM. A notable leap occurs at 9:00 AM where it hits 4, signaling a more intense sun. The peak arrives at 1:00 PM with a blistering 13, urging sun safety precautions. As the day progresses, the index begins to ease: 11 at 2:00 PM, dropping to 9 by 3:00 PM. By 6:00 PM, the UV Index reduces to 2, and finally settles back to 1 around 7:00 PM. Stay vigilant during the midday hours; your skin will thank you!
| 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 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 17:00 | 4 | 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 |
| Ruidoso Downs | 5 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 5 |