Are you heading to the beach for a day of fun in the sun? Or will you be quietly working in your yard, performing some long overdue maintenance around the house?
While the first thing you may do is to check your weather app and determine the temperature forecast for the day, there is another forecast you should check before you decide how to spend your time in the sun: the UV index.
The UV index measures the strength of the sun’s rays as it hits the surface of the earth at a particular time and location. The higher the UV index, the more powerful the sun’s rays. And that means your chances of sunburn increase right along with it.
According to the EPA, the UV index scale reads from 0 to 11+.
- 0-2 is low - the sun’s UV rays will have low impact on your skin
- 3-5 is medium - there is moderate risk of harm if you spend time in the sun unprotected
- 6-7 is high - reduce your exposure during the heat of the day, and avoid spending time in places that easily reflect UV rays
- 8-10 is very high - this means your skin can quickly burn, and both skin and eyes can be easily damaged
- 11+ - anything higher than 11 means extreme risk if you don’t take adequate protection.
In general, the UV index will be at its highest closer to the equator and lower as you move north or south to the poles. This will change with the seasons. But it’s important to remember that as you travel for vacations and ultimately spend more time outside. If you’re heading to the beach in the Caribbean, make sure you take adequate precautions.
The UV index is also precipitated by the time of day. Take a look at your shadow. The shorter your shadow, the higher the UV index. Which makes sense; if the sun is directly above you, you’re going to receive the most harm from the sun’s rays.
While you might use your weather app each morning to determine the temperature for the day, scroll all the way down to determine the UV index. This will give you a better indication of how to really plan your day.