Low
No protection needed
If you're going outside in Houston, Texas，it's just as useful before you begin your day to check the UV Index as it is to look at the temperature or the probability of rain. Although Houston is famous for its warm, humid climate and for having long periods of sunshine, the temperature by itself doesn't inform you about the strength of the sun's ultraviolet radiation.
The Houston UV Index gives a measure of the intensity of ultraviolet radiation reaching the ground; the higher the figure, the greater the potential for unprotected skin to be affected by sun exposure. UV levels do not remain the same throughout the day, since they usually rise in the morning, peak at about midday, and then slowly decrease in the afternoon.
Houston has high UV levels for a large part of the year, and in spring and summer the high position of the sun together with the long daylight hours result in especially strong UV conditions. Significant sun exposure can accumulate even if the temperatures do not seem unusually hot.
It is sometimes hard to judge the level of UV radiation due to the weather conditions; in Houston it is possible to have cloudy skies, high humidity or a hazy morning even though ultraviolet radiation is still reaching the ground. Although clouds may cut down part of the UV radiation they don't stop it altogether, which is why it is better to check the UV Index for today in Houston than simply looking outside.
If you plan on spending a lot of time outside, the hourly forecast is particularly useful. In Houston the hourly UV Index will show you when the radiation is expected to be at its strongest and when it will begin to decrease later in the day. When you have some flexibility, scheduling your outdoor activities outside of the peak midday hours is a simple method of reducing direct sun exposure.
There are plenty of opportunities to be outdoors in Houston. This could involve walking around Hermann Park, going to the Houston Zoo, playing sports, working in the garden, having dinner at an outdoor restaurant, or going out for a weekend activity. A short trip can easily last several hours, especially during the warmer months.
It is worth thinking about using some basic sun protection when the level of UV radiation is high. You can reduce your exposure to ultraviolet radiation by spending time in the shade, putting on sunglasses and wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen to any exposed skin. These measures can be useful even if the weather seems nice or the sky is not entirely clear.
Houston is different from cities that have long and cold winters in that it can have significant UV exposure for a large portion of the year; summer typically brings the highest levels and spring can as well produce high UV conditions, while in autumn and winter the levels are usually lower even though sunny days can still result in noticeable UV radiation.
Before you go outside, take a moment to check the Houston UV Index today. No matter if you're commuting, exercising, seeing sights, spending time with your family or just enjoying being outdoors, knowing the UV level can help you to make better arrangements for the day.
Look at the current Houston UV Index and the hourly UV forecast to find out when the UV levels are expected to be at their highest and then plan your outdoor activities accordingly.