What UV Index Means and Why It's Important

Did you know that, when the sun is beating down on you, it’s not always doing so with the same intensity? The same light that invites us to lay out in a hammock one day can pose significantly more risk another day. 

The UV index is a critical tool that was developed to measure the intensity of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It’s important to know what this is because excessive damage from the sun can lead to blisters, damage, and even skin cancer. 

What Is the UV Index?

The UV index is a standardized scale that indicates the strength of the UV radiation from the sun at any given place and time. Sort of like the system to rank hurricanes or tornadoes, it, too, has a scale.