What is the UV Index (and Why Should I Care About It)?

We’re so used to running for cover when we hear a rumble of thunder during the summer that it’s easy to forget that we’re just as exposed to the elements under a beautiful, cloud-free sky. Whenever the Sun's out (and even when it isn't), we're at risk for sunburns, which are caused by the Sun's ultraviolet, or UV, radiation. But just how serious is that risk on a given day? That's where the UV Index comes in.

Ultraviolet radiation falls next to visible light on the electromagnetic spectrum. The two wavelengths of UV rays that can cause injury are called UVA and UVB rays. Both types are dangerous over long periods of time, but UVB rays are thought to be the most dangerous. Excessive exposure to UVA and UVB rays can cause cell death, leading to painful sunburn, or, over time, some forms of skin cancer.

Earth’s atmosphere does a pretty good job protecting us from harmful UV rays, but it doesn’t completely block them out. Most ultraviolet radiation is absorbed by the ozone layer. Ozone is gas that’s usually situated more than twice as high above sea level as the cruising altitude of a commercial airliner. In the 1970s and 1980s, there was a concerted effort to eliminate the use of chemicals that deplete the ozone layer as people began to understand what its depletion would mean: overexposure to dangerous UV rays for humans, animals, and plants.

The UV Index was developed to tell us the level of solar radiation on a particular day, and thus, how susceptible we are to a sunburn. The UV Index is an open-ended scale that starts at 0, indicating the lowest level of danger, with the risk gradually increasing through a UV Index of 10. Any value above 10 indicates an extreme risk for harm from UV rays, with sunburns and eye damage occurring in just minutes.

The index is compiled daily using factors like ozone concentration in the atmosphere, expected cloud cover, and the elevation of a certain point above sea level. Greater ozone concentrations, more clouds, and a lower elevation will help prevent UV rays from reaching the ground. A bright, hot, sunny day can easily cause the UV Index to soar above 10.

Risk from UV rays doesn’t end with sunshine pouring out of the sky. Ultraviolet radiation can also be reflected, meaning that the danger for sunburns and eye damage increases around bright surfaces like a beach or the shimmering waters of a swimming pool. If your eyes have ever hurt after looking at snow on a sunny day, that painful condition is directly caused by UV rays reflecting off of the white surface.

One easy way to protect yourself from harmful UV radiation is to cover up. But clothing and hats don't deflect all UV rays. That's where sunscreen comes in. The best sunscreen to use is one that’s rated for both UVA and UVB protection with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15 or higher, according to the FDA. (The American Academy of Dermatology suggests one with an SPF of 30 or higher.) A sunscreen’s SPF doesn’t relate to the amount of time you can spend in the sun, but rather the amount of protection offered by a particular formula. An SPF of 15 blocks 93 percent of UV rays, while SPF 50 is said to block 98 percent. (Some argue that sunscreens over SPF 30 are no more effective.) Whichever SPF you choose, don't forget the sunglasses—specially rated pairs can protect your eyes from radiation, and also help you channel your inner celebrity. Sounds like a win-win to us.