Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Cody, Wyoming is essential for protecting your skin and overall health. As the sun's rays become more intense, particularly in the summer months, awareness of UV levels helps prevent sunburn and reduces the risk of long-term skin damage. In Cody's Dfb climate zone, where clear, sunny days are common, UV exposure can peak significantly around midday, reaching levels as high as 11. This means that even short periods of sun exposure can lead to harmful effects if proper precautions aren’t taken. Stay informed, take action, and enjoy the great outdoors safely!
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins its ascent, starting from a gentle 1 at 07:00. By 08:00, it climbs to 2, but the real surge happens as the day heats up. At 10:00, it hits 6, and by 11:00, it reaches 8, signaling peak sun intensity. The 12:00 mark sees the UV Index soar to a searing 10, with the highest reading of the day at 1 PM, peaking at 11. From 14:00, we notice a gradual descent, as the index drops to 9 by 15:00, and continues down to 4 by 17:00. The sun begins to wane, with readings of 3 at 18:00 and finally returning to 1 by 19:00. Be sure to protect your skin during those midday hours when the UV rays are at their strongest!
| 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 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 17:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV exposure varies significantly, with March through August marking the high-risk months due to extreme UV Index levels. In March and April, the UV Index reaches 8 and 10 respectively, indicating very high risk, with a burn time of just 15 minutes. This escalates in May and June to an extreme UV Index of 11, reducing safe exposure time to only 10 minutes. July continues the pattern, while August sees a slight decrease to 10 but remains in the very high category. As we transition towards the fall, the risk diminishes; however, September still holds a high UV Index of 9. From October onward, the UV Index drops to moderate levels. It is crucial for both visitors and residents to take precautions during these peak months—wearing protective clothing, applying high-SPF sunscreen, and seeking shade when the sun is strongest will greatly reduce 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 |
| Cody | 3 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| 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 |