Last updated: May 3, 2025
In Calcium, United States, awareness of the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Understanding UV levels can be the key to preventing painful sunburns and safeguarding long-term skin health. With the region's Dfb climate, residents often experience fluctuating UV exposures throughout the day, peaking at an intense 9 around noon. Familiarizing yourself with these levels helps you take proactive measures against potential risks, ensuring you enjoy the outdoors while keeping your skin safe from damage.
The UV Index throughout the day presents a clear pattern of intensity, peaking at midday. Starting from a mild level of 1 at 07:00, the index rises steadily, reaching 2 by 08:00. The real surge occurs between 09:00 and 13:00, where it escalates from 4 to a striking 9—the highest point of the day. As the afternoon unfolds, the intensity slightly declines to 7 at 15:00, before tapering off to 5 at 16:00. The evening sees a further decrease, settling back to 2 by 18:00 and returning to 1 at 19:00. For those enjoying outdoor activities, it’s essential to take precautions, especially during the peak hours from 11:00 to 14:00 when the UV rays are most potent.
| 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 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 9 | 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 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV Index levels show significant seasonal variation, with peak values during the summer months. From January to February, the UV Index gradually increases from a low level of 2, with a burn time of 45 minutes, to a moderate level of 4 in February, reducing the burn time to 30 minutes. As spring approaches, March reaches a high level of 6, offering a burn time of 25 minutes. The summer months of April through August experience very high UV Index levels, peaking at 9 and necessitating caution with only a 15-minute burn time. September sees a decrease to a high UV level of 7, with a burn time of 25 minutes, while October and November return to moderate levels of 5 and 3, respectively, allowing for longer exposure times. By December, the UV Index falls back to a low level of 2, increasing the burn time to 45 minutes. Visitors and residents are advised to be particularly vigilant during the summer months (April to August), applying broad-spectrum sunscreen regularly and seeking shade during peak sunlight hours to protect against harmful UV exposure.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 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 |