Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Friday Harbor, awareness of the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Understanding UV levels is essential not only for preventing painful sunburns but also for maintaining long-term skin health and reducing the risk of skin cancer. With a Csb climate, Friday Harbor typically experiences moderate UV exposure, peaking at an Index of 9 around midday. This means that even on cloudy days, residents and visitors should be mindful of sun safety measures to enjoy the beautiful outdoors without compromising their skin health. Make the UV Index a part of your daily routine when planning your activities!
The UV Index on this particular day begins its ascent at 07:00 with a moderate level of 1, gradually rising to 2 by 08:00. As the sun reaches its peak, the index climbs steadily, hitting 3 at 09:00 and soaring to a striking 5 by 10:00. The day’s intensity peaks at 12:00, with the UV Index at a sizzling 8. Just an hour later, it reaches its maximum of 9 at 13:00, signaling a time when sun protection is crucial. Thankfully, the intensity starts to wane after this peak, coming down to 8 at 14:00, and then gradually decreasing to 4 by 17:00. As evening approaches, the UV Index dips back to 2 at 18:00 and finally settles at 1 by 19:00, marking the end of a day filled with varying levels of UV exposure. Be sure to take precautions during those midday hours to shield yourself from the sun’s rays!
| 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 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 17:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
As the seasons change, so do UV levels, significantly impacting sun exposure and skin safety for visitors and residents. January to March sees a gradual increase in UV Index, peaking with a moderate level in March at 5, where the burn time decreases to 30 minutes. The high-risk months, characterized by extremely high levels of UV radiation, are May through August, with indices soaring to 9 and enforcing a burn time of just 15 minutes. Following this, September presents a moderate risk with an index of 7, and a burn time of 25 minutes, before dropping again in October with a moderate index of 5. November and December then return to lower risks, emphasizing a UV Index of 2 and 1, respectively, allowing for longer safe exposure times of 45 minutes. To minimize the risk of UV-related harm, visitors and residents should take extra precautions during the high-risk months by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and limiting sun exposure during peak hours.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Harbor | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| 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 |