Last updated: June 2, 2025
In River Heights, understanding the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin and overall health. As the sun's rays intensify throughout the day, particularly peaking between 11 AM and 2 PM, knowing the UV levels can help you take necessary precautions against sunburn and long-term skin damage. River Heights experiences a Dfb climate, characterized by distinct seasons and varying UV exposure risks, making it essential to stay informed year-round. By keeping an eye on the UV Index, you can enjoy the beautiful outdoors while protecting yourself from harmful effects of excessive sun exposure.
The UV Index today showcases a dramatic rise as the sun reaches its peak. Starting at a gentle 1 at 07:00, the index escalates steadily, reaching its first significant benchmark of 3 by 09:00. However, the real intensity kicks in at 10:00, soaring to 6 and peaking at 12 during the hour of 13:00, and maintaining that blistering level until 14:00. After this peak, the UV Index starts to decline, dropping to 10 by 15:00, and gently fading to 5 by 17:00, before settling back to a safer 1 by 19:00. This highlights the importance of protecting your skin during the midday hours when the UV exposure is at its maximum.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | 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 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index exhibits notable seasonal variations, with the most significant increases occurring from March through September. High-risk months for UV exposure are April to August, when the index reaches extreme levels (11-12), resulting in a burn time as brief as 10 minutes. As a precaution, both visitors and residents should exercise caution during these months by seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying broad-spectrum sunscreen frequently. In contrast, January, February, October, and November show moderate levels of UV exposure, with longer burn times of 30 minutes, indicating a reduced risk but still warranting protective measures when outdoors. Awareness of these changes will help individuals enjoy sun exposure safely throughout the year.
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 |
| River Heights | 3 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 |
| Houston UVI | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 |