Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Myrtle Beach, as it provides vital information about potential ultraviolet radiation exposure throughout the day. Being aware of UV levels helps in preventing sunburn and safeguarding your skin health, especially on those sunny beach days. Located in a Cfa climate zone, Myrtle Beach experiences high UV exposure, particularly between 10 AM and 2 PM, when indices can soar to a severe 11. Practicing sun safety is essential to enjoy the beautiful sands while protecting yourself from harmful effects—so keep an eye on the UV Index and stay informed!
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 does the UV Index, which significantly impacts exposure levels throughout the year. January starts with a moderate UV Index of 4, allowing for a burn time of 30 minutes. However, February ramps up to a high index of 7, with a reduced burn time of 25 minutes. The peak months, from March through August, experience extreme UV levels, particularly in May and June, where the UV Index reaches 11 and burn times shrink to just 10 minutes. September and October see a slight decrease, yet still maintain a very high index of 9 and 8, respectively. The year concludes with lower levels in November and December. Visitors and residents should take special care during the high-risk months from March to August, ensuring proper sun protection measures, such as wearing sunscreen, hats, and protective clothing, to mitigate the risk of UV-related harm.
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 |
| Myrtle Beach | 4 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 |
| Houston UVI | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 |