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Prep Your Sunscreen: S’pore UV Radiation Level at ‘Extreme’ This Week

Jia Hui

2018-02-22 , 6:46 pm

People from all over the world knows that Singapore is hot.

Like blazing hot.

As a Singaporean myself, I would say that I’m (sadly) used to it.

I mean, what can we do?

It’s not like we can chase the sun away or shift our island to the other side of the world.

Right…?

Anyways, speaking of the culprit itself (the sun), it’s getting pretty ‘dangerous’ these days.

Not just hot ah, it’s dangerous!

According to The Straits Times, the ultraviolet radiation (UV) level in our island had reached the “extreme” level this week.

About the UV Index

The UV Index is an international standard measurement of the level of UV radiation exposure.

It ranges from 0 to 11+ and is categorised into different exposure levels, from low to extreme.

According to the National Environment Agency (NEA) website, extra protection against sunburn is necessary when the index hits “very high” levels of between 8 and 10.

When it hits 11 and above, it is considered “extreme”.

We hit 15!

Just this Monday (Feb 19), the one-hour average UV Index hit 15.

And yes, that’s “extreme”!

According to the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS), the number was recorded at 1pm and 2pm, right when the sun was on top of our heads.

However, it is not the first time we’ve seen this number.

It also happened at 2pm last Tuesday, and 1pm on both Sept 8 and 17 last year.

Weather forecast

In early February, MSS said that drier and warmer weather is expected.

The fornightly weather outlook says that some warm days can be expected in the second half of the month, with daily maximum temperature possibly reaching a high of around 34°C .

On most days, it should be around 32°C to 33°C.

The daily minimum temperature is expected to range between 23°C and 24°C.

Experts say

An MSS spokesman said that for the last two weeks, some of the highest UV Index values recorded included 12 last Friday, 13 last Saturday and Sunday, 15 on Monday and 14 on Tuesday.

They were recorded between 11am and 3pm.

Wait…aren’t those in the “extreme” range already? Why isn’t anyone saying anything?

Do not worry, the spokesman also said that it is a common situation in Singapore.

The UV index tend to reach extreme levels from 11am to 3pm, when the UV radiation is the strongest.

“Under less common conditions when the skies are clear or almost cloud free, more UV radiation can reach the earth’s surface,” he added.

February

According to the NEA website, February is one of the months when the average daily maximum UV Index reached “very high” levels.

For this month, it is an average of 9.

Protective measures

If you haven’t been putting on sunblock, it’s time to know how harmful UV rays are!

According to a study, some of the common effects include mainly sunburn (or erythema) and tanning (or pigment darkening).

The more severe effects can be life-threatening and include premature ageing of the skin, suppression of the immune system, damage to the eyes, and skin cancer.

According to MSS, here are some protective measures you should take note of to protect yourself:

Use sunscreen (at least SPF 30)
Use an umbrella and seek shade
Wear sunglasses that block UVA/UVB rays
Wear a broad-brimmed hat

More information can be found here.

Thoughts

I used to not care about sunscreen at all and only thought that we have to apply it when we go swimming.

But now that I’m much more wiser than that little punk that I was, sunblock in an inevitable step in my daily routine.

So please do yourself a favour, you’ll appreciate the effort.

Brb, stocking up on some shades and sunscreen.

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This article was first published on goodyfeed.com