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UV index today in Gallup, NM
New Mexico · EPA forecast for Tuesday, September 29
Sun protection needed from 11 AM to 3 PM (UV 3 or higher).
The EPA forecasts a peak UV index of 9 (very high) in Gallup on Tuesday, September 29.
Hour by hour
| Time | UV index | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 9 AM | 1 | Low |
| 10 AM | 2 | Low |
| 11 AM | 6 | High |
| 12 PM | 8 | Very high |
| 1 PM | 9 | Very high |
| 2 PM | 7 | High |
What UV 9 (Very high) means today
Very high risk: unprotected skin and eyes can be damaged and burn quickly. Minimize time in the sun around the middle of the day, seek shade, and cover up with clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, UV-blocking sunglasses and broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours.
The shadow rule: if your shadow is shorter than you are, the sun's UV is at its strongest — protect yourself.
Gallup is at 6,510 feet (1,985 m). UV grows by roughly 10% with every 1,000 m of altitude, so it is stronger here than at sea level.
Typical UV index in Gallup by month
Average daily peak UV index over 2023–2024: highest in July (11.1), lowest in December (2.5). The average daily peak reaches 6 (high) or more in: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Monthly averages: hourly UV index under real sky conditions, clouds included, from NASA POWER satellite data (CERES), 2023–2024, on a 1° grid shared by nearby towns. The daily forecast above is the EPA's.
The UV index scale
| UV index | Level |
|---|---|
| 0–2 | Low Low danger from the sun's UV rays for the average person. Wear sunglasses on bright days. If you burn easily, cover up and use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen. Sand, water and snow reflect UV and add to your exposure. |
| 3–5 | Moderate Moderate risk from unprotected sun exposure. Stay in the shade near midday, when the sun is strongest. Wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses, and apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen every 2 hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating. |
| 6–7 | High High risk from unprotected sun exposure: skin and eyes need protection. Reduce time in the sun around the middle of the day, seek shade, and wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, UV-blocking sunglasses and broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours. |
| 8–10 | Very high Very high risk: unprotected skin and eyes can be damaged and burn quickly. Minimize time in the sun around the middle of the day, seek shade, and cover up with clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, UV-blocking sunglasses and broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours. |
| 11+ | Extreme Extreme risk: unprotected skin and eyes can burn in minutes. Try to avoid the sun around the middle of the day, stay in the shade, and use every protection: clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, UV-blocking sunglasses and broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours. |
Source: the EPA's hourly UV index forecast for ZIP code 87302, calculated by the National Weather Service from the ozone forecast, sun angle, elevation and expected clouds. Sunrise, solar noon and sunset are calculated for the city's coordinates.
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