Last updated: July 2, 2025
Awareness of the UV Index is crucial for residents of both Canada and the United States, as it provides essential insights into the sun's intensity and potential risks associated with UV exposure. Understanding UV levels is vital for preventing sunburn, preserving skin health, and lowering the risk of skin cancer. In Canada's BSk climate, while the summers can be short, they often bring high UV levels during midday—peaking at 11 around noon—making it imperative to stay informed. By monitoring the UV Index, you can enjoy the outdoors safely while protecting your skin from harmful effects of the sun!
Today's UV Index presents a dynamic landscape of sun exposure. The day begins with a mild index of 1 at 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM, ideal for enjoying a morning stroll. As the sun ascends, we hit 2 by 9:00 AM, before a significant leap to 5 at 10:00 AM. The intensity peaks dramatically at 12:00 PM, marked with a dazzling 10, then soars to an impressive 11 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. As we transition into the afternoon, a gradual decline ensues, dropping to 8 at 4:00 PM, followed by 5 at 5:00 PM, then a gentle descent to 3 by 6:00 PM. The evening settles back to a 1 by 7:00 PM. Stay sun safe! Remember to protect your skin during the peak hours of UV exposure!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 17:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index experiences significant seasonal variations, peaking during the summer months. High-risk months for UV exposure are from May to August, when the UV Index consistently reaches levels categorized as extreme (11), indicating a burn time as short as 10 minutes. March and April also present high risks with very high indexes (8 and 10), where the burn time drops to 15 minutes. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take protective measures during these months, such as wearing sunscreen, sunglasses, and protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak sun hours to minimize the risk of skin damage. As fall approaches, the risk decreases, with October seeing a high category (UV Index 7) but burn times lengthening to 25 minutes.
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 |
| Canadian | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Houston UVI | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 |