Last updated: May 3, 2025
In Monahans, Texas, understanding the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin and overall health. With the area’s BWh climate, residents and visitors face significant UV exposure, particularly during the peak hours of 10 AM to 3 PM when the index can soar to 12—indicating very high risk for harm from unprotected sun exposure. By keeping an eye on UV levels, you can take proactive steps to prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage, ensuring that your time outdoors remains enjoyable and safe. Remember, awareness is the first step toward protection!
At dawn, the UV Index starts low, peaking at 1 around 7:00 AM and remaining steady until 9:00 AM. As the sun climbs higher in the sky, exposure increases, hitting 4 by 10:00 AM. The intensity escalates sharply, reaching a striking 10 at 12:00 PM and peaking at 12 between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM—the hottest moment of the day. Following this peak, the UV Index gracefully declines, dropping to 5 by 5:00 PM and further to 3 by 6:00 PM. As evening approaches, it wraps up with a return to 1 by 7:00 PM. It's a clear reminder to seek shade during peak hours and protect your skin!
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 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
11:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
14:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
15:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 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 |
Seasonal variation in UV exposure is significant, with high-risk months occurring from February to September, where the UV Index reaches very high to extreme levels, particularly peaking at 12 from May through August. During these months, the time it takes for unprotected skin to burn decreases to as low as 10 minutes. In contrast, the less risky months of January, November, and December feature moderate to high UV levels, allowing for longer exposure times of up to 30 minutes. For both residents and visitors, it is crucial to take preventive measures, such as using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak hours, especially in the summer months, to minimize the risk of skin damage.
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 |
Houston UVI | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 |
Monahans | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 5 |