The National Weather Service has issued Heat Advisories and Extreme Heat Watches throughout many parts of Illinois this weekend, warning of dangerously hot conditions and heat indexes over 100.
Going into this weekend, as well as the rest of the summer, the UV Index is sure to remain more elevated, meaning you should take action to protect your skin.
Here’s what you should know about the UV Index, what it means and how to protect yourself from UV radiation.
What is the UV Index?
The UV Index measures the amount of skin-damaging ultraviolet radiation expected to reach the earth’s surface when the sun is at its highest point during the day, according to the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center. The index is measured on a scale of 0 to 15 or 16, with 0 being night time and 15/16 being the most severe.
UV radiation can damage both skin and eyes, with damage occurring more quickly with higher UV Indexes.
UV Index breakdown
The Environmental Protection Agency provides the following graphic on its website, explaining the dangers of varying UV Indexes, as well as tips on sunscreen application:
How fast will I burn during certain UV Indexes?
The Old Farmer’s Almanac provides the following guidance on the estimated “time to burn” for varying UV indexes:
UV Index myths
The EPA debunked various myths about the UV Index in a 2012 informational guide. Here are some examples:
How to protect yourself during high UV Index
The EPA recommends the following sun-protection tips:
UV Index near me
Find out the daily UV Index in your area on the EPA website.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: UV Index to surpass 100 this weekend. Here’s the UV Index explained, safety tips, common myths
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY NETWORK / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
