Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is essential for residents of McAlester, United States, as it serves as a crucial guide for managing sun exposure and protecting against harmful UV radiation. With peak UV levels reaching as high as 11 during midday, awareness of this index is vital for preventing sunburn and ensuring long-term skin health. The subtropical climate here in McAlester brings about significant UV exposure risks, especially in the summer months. By keeping an eye on the UV Index, you can enjoy outdoor activities while safeguarding your skin from potential damage.
The UV Index for the day showcases a striking pattern, starting moderate at 7:00 AM with a value of 1. As the sun climbs higher, the index steadily rises, hitting 3 by 9:00 AM, and then surging to a peak of 11 between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM. This indicates a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure during midday. Following the peak, the UV Index gradually declines to 4 by 5:00 PM and further decreases to 1 by 7:00 PM, emphasizing the critical importance of sun protection during the intense midday hours. It’s advisable to seek shade and wear sunscreen if you're outside during the peak period!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 17:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
As the seasons change, so do the levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, significantly impacting exposure risk for visitors and residents. From January to March, UV Index values gradually increase from 4 (moderate) in January to 7 (high) in March, with burn times decreasing from 30 minutes to 25 minutes. The real concern arises in April and May, when the UV Index peaks at 10 (very high) and burn times shrink to just 15 minutes. The summer months of June, July, and August pose the greatest risk, showcasing an extreme UV Index of 11, allowing only a 10-minute exposure before burn. As fall arrives, September sees a slight reduction to 9 (very high) before tapering off to 7 in October, while burn times increase back to 25 minutes. By November and December, the index lowers to 5 and 4 (both moderate) with burn times returning to 30 minutes. Visitors and residents should take precautions during the high-risk months of April through August, such as wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade, to minimize the risk of harmful UV exposure.
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 |
| McAlester | 4 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Houston UVI | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 |