 UV Alert
It's critical to know the level of UV radiation before you plan outdoor activities. Under the new Ultraviolet (UV) Alert system, EPA will send out an alert
when the level of solar UV radiation is predicted to be unusually high, and
consequently the risk of overexposure is greater. The new system enhances
the existing daily UV Index forecasts produced by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service (NWS). The UV Alert will provide SunWise action
steps that you should take to reduce risk of overexposure. We encourage you to check the UV Index daily or sign up using our free EnviroFlash service to receive the UV Alert by e-mail, including your community’s UV Index forecast and the UV Alert information.
Frequent Questions | Resources | Contacts
Frequent Questions
Q: What is the UV Alert and what does it mean?
A: The UV Alert is a message that the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation
reaching a given locality is expected to be unusually intense compared
to historical levels in that locality. For example, if an area usually
has moderate UV levels in the springtime but experiences a sunny day with
higher than normal UV, there may be a UV Alert for that day.
Q: Is the UV Alert the same thing as the UV Index?
A: No, but the UV Alert is based on the UV Index. The UV Index is a scale,
ranging from 1 (low) to 11+ (extreme), that indicates the intensity of
solar UV radiation reaching the surface on a given day. A UV Alert is issued
only when the UV Index forecast is higher than normal statistically (in
the 95th percentile), and is at least 6. Your area has a UV Index forecast
every day, but there might be a UV Alert only a few days per month, or
none at all.
Q: Why is EPA providing the UV Alert?
A: EPA is providing the UV Alert because overexposure to UV radiation
from the sun is the most preventable cause of skin cancer. The UV Alert,
along with the UV Index, notifies people that their risk of overexposure
is greater than usual and provides a few simple SunWise
action steps that
they can use to protect themselves and their children.
Q: How can I find out if there is a UV Alert for my area?
A: The UV Alert, if one has been issued for your area, will accompany
EPA’s UV Index forecast. You can find UV Index
forecasts by ZIP Code at EPA’s SunWise website: http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html.
Also, you can sign up to receive
emails with your area’s UV Index
forecast and the UV Alert at https://enviroflash.epa.gov.
Q: What should I do if there is a UV Alert for my area?
A: If EPA has issued a UV Alert for your area, you should take the following
simple SunWise action steps:
- Minimize time in the sun, especially between
10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.;
- Cover up with clothing, a wide-brimmed hat,
and UV-protective sunglasses; and
- Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least
15 to any exposed skin.
Resources
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, available as a free download, to
view most of the files in this list. See EPA's
PDF page to learn more about PDF, and for a link to the free Acrobat
Reader.
What is the UV Index? - Fact sheet by EPA for
the public explaining the UV Index and the UV Alert. (Also available
as PDF, 2 page, 1.4
MB)
A Guide to the UV Index (PDF, 8 pages,
2.1 MB) - Brochure developed by EPA for meteorologists, educators and public
health officials on recommendations for reporting the UV Index.
UV Safety: The Global Solar UV Index (PDF,
1 page, 109 KB) - Poster displaying the UV index scale and action steps.
Look Up Your UV Index by ZIP Code or City & State
Sign up to receive the UV Index
forecast and UV Alerts for your city
UV Alert Map  - Map created by NWS showing the areas of the lower 48 states with a UV Alert.
Contacts
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