Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Monticello, United States, awareness of the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin against harmful sun exposure. Understanding the UV levels throughout the day helps in effective sunburn prevention and promotes long-term skin health. With a BSk climate characterized by significant sunshine and elevation, Monticello's UV exposure risks peak notably around midday, where readings can soar to 12. By staying informed about the UV Index, residents can enjoy the outdoors while taking essential precautions to protect themselves from the sun’s intense rays.
The UV Index rises sharply as the day unfolds, starting gently at 1 by 7:00 AM. As the sun climbs higher, it reaches 2 by 8:00 AM and then jumps to 4 by 9:00 AM. The intensity peaks around midday, hitting a striking 11 at 12:00 PM, followed closely by a maximum of 12 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. In the afternoon, the index begins to decline, dropping to 10 by 3:00 PM and further down to 5 by 5:00 PM. As daylight wanes, the value lowers to 1 by 7:00 PM, indicating a rapid decrease in UV exposure. This cyclical pattern highlights the importance of sun protection during peak hours, especially between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM when the UV Index is highest.
| 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 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 17:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index experiences significant fluctuations, with the highest risk months occurring from March to August. During this period, the UV index peaks at 12, indicating an extreme exposure category, which necessitates vigilant sun protection measures as the burn time drops to just 10 minutes. In April and May, the index remains at a very high level of 10 and 12, respectively, with equally limited burn times. September sees a slight decrease to a UV Index of 10, transitioning to high in October at 7 and gradually tapering down to moderate levels by December with an index of 3. To ensure safety, residents and visitors should prioritize sun protection strategies, especially during the high-risk months of March through August. This includes wearing sunscreen, sunglasses, and protective clothing while seeking shade during peak sun hours.
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 |
| Monticello | 4 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| Houston UVI | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 |