Summer is a season when many people spend time outdoors in the sun.  Overexposure to its UV rays, however, can cause a number of health problems, including sunburn, eye damage, and even skin cancer  This is why public health officials recommend taking precautions when the UV Index climbs above three.

The UV index is a scale that measures the intensity of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Readings vary from place to place as local factors affect the amount of UV light that reaches the ground. These include, the thickness of the ozone layer, latitude, season, elevation, and cloud cover. Developed by the NWS and EPA in the early 1990’s, it informs the public about the daily risk of unprotected exposure to the sun.

Chart Data: EPA