Can you get a sunburn in Florida in December?
Water and sun, appealing characteristics that attract people to Florida during the winter, are also two of the most common culprits of sunburned skin.
It's all about location for us Floridians. We are closer to the equator and while the sun isn't beating down as hard or as long as the steamy summer months, our UV index is usually moderate. That means in about 40 minutes, you can end up with a sunburn even in winter.
Even though it's technically winter in Florida, the sun shines year-round here. After all, Florida is called "The Sunshine State." When patients are asked what sunscreen they use, many say they do not use it unless they are at the beach. Of course, sunburns can occur while at the beach.
It's true; the sun's UVB rays are strongest during summer. However, during the winter months, UVB rays can damage your skin in ways you might not realize. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the snow reflects up to 80% of the sun's UV light, for example.
You can! Actually, you can sunbathe in all winter months in Florida... November, December, January, February -- all are suitable for sunbathing! Plan to bring the bikini and suntan oil and sun protection, because it is definitely bikini weather!
Time of year – UV radiation levels are highest during the summer months. Geographic location – the sun's rays are strongest at the equator, where the sun is most directly overhead. The closer the equator, the higher the UV radiation levels. With Florida's low latitude, we get more UV radiation than the rest of the U.S.
Yes, you can (and will) get a tan, or a sunburn, in Florida in December. If you are someone who burns easily (like me,) make sure that you put on sunscreen before going out to enjoy our December weather. It was 85 degrees here last week with sunshine every day.
Because Florida lies so close to the equator, it receives stronger sunlight than the rest of the country. If you shine a flashlight on a globe, right in the middle, the area where the light is the brightest represents the areas where the sun's radiation is most concentrated, and this is responsible for creating heat.
During the summer, the Sun is positioned practically overhead here in Florida. The sun's energy passes through less of the atmosphere before it reaches us and that means we need to apply our own filters to protect ourselves.
Ultraviolet (UV) rays can also penetrate through clouds and cause sunburn. According to the Marshfield Clinic, snow and ice can reflect up to 80 percent of UV rays, doubling your risk of sunburn on a winter day. Higher altitudes also increase your risk of UV exposure.
Can you get a sunburn when it's cold outside?
“In the right winter weather conditions, you can sustain sun damage just as easily as during the summer.” UVB rays, the main cause of sunburn, are the strongest in the summer. However, UVB rays can burn and damage your skin year-round, especially at high altitudes and on reflective surfaces such as snow or ice.
Tanning can happen in any season be it monsoon or winters. The UV rays can affect the skin and cause tanning. People love to soak up some sunlight in winters but sitting too long in the winter sun can also cause tanning.
“We know sun exposure without protection in terms of sun protective clothing and sunscreen can lead to skin cancer. Sunscreen not only should be worn in Florida in the winter months, but it can and should be worn up north, during the winter months.
It's recommended to use an SPF of 30 or more for all skin types, year-round, in a place as hot as Florida. Those with fair-skin may want to use an even higher SPF for additional protection from (UV) ultraviolet rays.
Early Morning and Evening Sun
However, the sun still emits UV rays outside of peak daylight hours, even as early as 6-8 a.m. and as late as 4-6 p.m. That means you still need to wear sunscreen in the early morning and evening hours to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun.
Even in the dead of Florida's "winter," the sun can be intense enough to burn. Plus, even if the water is too cold to go for a swim, it's usually still warm enough to sunbathe.
For 99 percent of the winter the entire state is warm enough to swim at the beach. North Florida has some days that get below 50 in December January and February when you won't want to swim . But most days of winter all over Florida get up to at least 70 degrees during the winter.
The sea water is 74°F on average (min: 72°F/max: 77°F) so you can easily spend time in the water. Swimming in january in Anna Maria Island, Clearwater, St. Augustine, Sanibel Island, St Petersburg, Tampa, Captiva Island and Egmont Key is possible but the sea is generally cool.
Whether or not people get a sunburn has nothing to do with the outside air temperature. It is possible to get a sunburn on a sunny day with a temperature of 40 F as well as a sunny day with a temperature of 80.
It doesn't matter how hot or cold it is outside for you to tan. There is no connection between temperature and tanning. The connection is in the ultraviolet rays of the sun. For instance, you can ski and get a tan from the UV reflection on the snow.
How do you get rid of a winter tan?
Squeeze fresh lemon juice and add some honey to it. Apply the mixture on your skin and let it stay for 30 minutes before washing off with a mild cleanser. You can also add some sugar to the lemon juice to make a scrub. In addition to removing tan, this will also slough off dead cells from the surface.
Yes, you can actually get "sun burned" in Florida during these months, so be sure to have some sun screen available. The sun is quite strong in FL and the UV factor still pretty moderate.
Bonita Springs has an average of 271 predominately sunny days per year, making it one of the sunniest cities in Florida. Fort Myers has an average of 271 predominately sunny days per year. Not only does it boast some of the best weather in Florida, but it's also touted as one of the best cities to retire in the U.S.
Seasonality plays a part: May through August are typically the strongest months, UV-exposure-wise. But, as the Sun Safety Alliance states, “UV rays reach Earth every day—including wintertime. Snow can reflect 85% to 90% of the sun's UV rays.” So, lather up the SPF year round.
You can keep your skin safe from sun damage by applying sunscreen with at least SPF 30 when you're outdoors and wearing darker colored clothing. You should also have a hat to protect your face from the sun.
You must apply sunscreen liberally to all parts of exposed skin, ideally 15 minutes before going in the sun. Don't forget the ears, back of knees and neck. You must also remember to reapply about every two hours. Lastly don't forget eye protection as sunglasses that block UV rays are important.
You should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. The recommendation is to use a sunscreen 15 or higher to be effective. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, too. Apply a thick layer of it on every part of your exposed skin.
“In the right winter weather conditions, you can sustain sun damage just as easily as during the summer.” UVB rays, the main cause of sunburn, are the strongest in the summer. However, UVB rays can burn and damage your skin year-round, especially at high altitudes and on reflective surfaces such as snow or ice.
But, the answer is yes, you can get a sunburn in winter. Contrary to what most people think, the sun's ultraviolet rays can be just as damaging to your skin when it's cold and cloudy outside. This blog will address how winter sunburns and skin damage can occur and why you should apply sunscreen during the winter.
Average sea temperatures in Oceanfront Park Beach are around 76°F, which means you'll have the chance to enjoy a relaxing swim. So, lose those mittens and scarves and grab a pair of flip-flops and sunscreen because Florida has some of the warmest beaches you can visit in December.
How high does the UV index get in Florida in December?
How high is the UV index in December in Florida? The average daily maximum UV index in December is 6. A UV Index estimate of 6 to 7 represents a high health vulnerability from exposure to Sun's UV rays.
Ultraviolet (UV) rays can also penetrate through clouds and cause sunburn. According to the Marshfield Clinic, snow and ice can reflect up to 80 percent of UV rays, doubling your risk of sunburn on a winter day. Higher altitudes also increase your risk of UV exposure.
The UV rays have to filter through more atmosphere and their effect on your skin is lower in the winter months, because the Sun is at a shallower angle. Tanning naturally during the winter may be a better thing, because the rays are less harmful.
Rays don't retreat in winter
If you're outside, you're still at risk for skin damage. "In some southern parts of the United States, the amount of UV radiation from the sun doesn't drop a lot during winter months,” Chon says. “The sun can be strong regardless of the season or temperature.”
You can get a tan in Florida in the winter and even sunburn. As long as it is not raining, you will get some sun when you are outside. It will take longer to get a tan as you may in the spring through fall, but you'll likely get a nice rosy glow.
In winter, UVB rays from the sun can be weaker than they are in summer. However, the UVA rays which cause wrinkles, premature aging and skin damage are just as strong during the colder months.
Myths about winter sun
This is false. While the UV index, the scale used to measure power of the sun's ultraviolet rays at a given time and place, is lower in winter, the sun is still powerful enough to damage your skin. Depending on how long you spend in the sun, you can get a visible sunburn in the winter.
January is the coolest month of the year in Florida, with average lows of around 49 F (around 10 C) in Orlando.
During the cooler months, the farther south you go, the warmer it will be. Fort Lauderdale, Miami, the Keys, Marco Island and Naples will have the warmest water during the winter. During the summer months, the Gulf of Mexico will be five or more degrees warmer than the Atlantic Ocean.
You can certainly swim in Florida in the wintertime. Florida boasts some of the best water temperatures in the continental United States, year-round. But just because you can swim doesn't mean that the water temperature is going to be warm.
What city in Florida has the highest UV index?
UV Index for Florida
The city with the highest UV index this hour (11:00 pm) in Florida, USA is Fort Lauderdale at 0 (Low). Today, the peak UV index for Florida will be in Cape Coral, around 1:00 pm at 8.7 (Very High).
- The southern states, California, and especially Hawaii, are closest to the equator and tend to have a higher UV Index.
- States at a high altitude, such as Utah and Colorado, also tend to have a relatively high UV Index.
The sunniest U.S. states are: Arizona (5,755 kJ/m^2), New Mexico (5,642 kJ/m^2), Nevada (5,296kJ/m^2), Texas (5,137 kJ/m^2), California (5,050 kJ/m^2), Colorado (4,960 kJ/m^2), Oklahoma (4,912 kJ/m^2), Kansas (4,890 kJ/m^2), Utah (4,887 kJ/m^2), and Florida (4,859 kJ/m^2).
