Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is vital for residents of Central Falls, where the humid subtropical climate brings both warmth and significant UV exposure throughout the year. By staying informed about the daily UV levels, you can effectively prevent sunburn and protect your skin health, ensuring that you enjoy the outdoors safely. With peak UV readings reaching a maximum of 9 around midday, it's crucial to be proactive in sun safety measures. Whether you're strolling through Slater Memorial Park or enjoying summer activities, knowing how to respond to varying UV levels can make all the difference for your well-being in this vibrant community.
As the sun rises, the UV Index starts off relatively low, peaking at 1 at 7:00 AM. By 8:00 AM, it gently climbs to 2, but it’s not until 9:00 AM that the intensity begins to gather real momentum, reaching 4. The index rises sharply as the day progresses, hitting 6 by 10:00 AM, and then escalating to a striking 8 at 11:00 AM. The maximum intensity occurs at 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM, where it levels off at a high 9. This peak is maintained through 2:00 PM, after which the UV Index begins its descent, dropping to 7 at 3:00 PM, 5 at 4:00 PM, and further declining to 3 by 5:00 PM. By the evening, it gently falls back to 1 at both 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM, signaling a significant reduction in sun exposure. Overall, it's a day where protection from UV radiation is essential during peak hours!
| 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 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
As the seasons change, the UV Index exhibits significant fluctuations, indicating varying levels of sun exposure risk. From January to March, the UV Index starts off in the moderate range (3-6), suggesting a burn time of 30 minutes in January and February, but decreases to 25 minutes in March. The high-risk months emerge from April to September, where the Index rises dramatically to the very high range (8-10), with a critical burn time dropping as low as 15 minutes in April, May, June, July, August, and September. October sees a decline back to a high UV Index (6), allowing for 25 minutes of exposure before burning, while November and December move back into moderate and low categories (4 and 2, respectively) with more forgiving burn times of 30 minutes and 45 minutes. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautions during the high-risk months by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade, particularly when the UV Index is at its peak in the summer months.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Falls | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 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 |