Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Pampa, Texas is crucial for protecting your skin and overall health in this sunny climate. With temperatures often reaching the highs typical of a BSk climate, awareness of UV levels can help you prevent painful sunburn and reduce the risk of long-term skin damage. During the peak hours, especially between 12 PM and 2 PM, the UV Index can soar to 12, indicating very high risk. By keeping an eye on the UV Index, you can enjoy the outdoors safely while taking the necessary precautions to safeguard your skin from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
The UV Index climbs steadily throughout the morning, starting at a mild 1 at 07:00 and 08:00. By 09:00, it reaches 2, but the real peak begins at 10:00 with a notable jump to 5. The sun is at its most intense around 12:00, hitting a sizzling 10, and continues to rise, peaking at 13:00 with an impressive 11 and reaching an all-time high of 12 at 14:00. As the afternoon progresses, the UV Index gradually declines, dropping to 10 by 15:00 and further easing to 6 by 17:00. The evening brings relief with values of 3 at 18:00 and 2 by 19:00, making it crucial to be sun-smart during midday hours when protection is essential.
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 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
15:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
16:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
17:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
18:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
19:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index experiences notable changes, peaking during the summer months. From March to August, UV levels rise significantly, with April to July marking the highest-risk months, exhibiting extreme levels of UV exposure (Index 11-12) and requiring only 10 minutes of unprotected sun exposure before risking skin burn. As a result, it's crucial for visitors and residents to take protective measures during these months, such as wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak sunlight hours. Conversely, the winter months (January, November, December) present moderate UV levels (Index 4-5) and have longer burn times of 30 minutes, still warranting some level of sun protection but with less urgency. Overall, increased awareness and protective practices are essential, especially from March to August, to mitigate 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 |
Pampa | 4 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
Houston UVI | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 |