Fourth of July - Facts About Sun Exposure

With a slight fear of "jumping the gun" on this one...I think that we can now officially proclaim that summer has found Montana.  Good 'ole Bozeman could still prove us wrong with a snowstorm in July.  As July heats up it's time to enjoy summer in Montana.  With the Fourth of July upon us, most of us will be spending some much deserved hours in the outdoors and therefore a great increase in sun exposure. 

With that opportunity to celebrate the place in which we live, we need to remember that solar radiation is at its most intense in July in North America, according to UV index average values.

What does that mean for you? Put on the sunscreen, because overexposure brings with it a risk of skin cancer.   And limit your exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when solar radiation is its most intense.

The UV index climatological mean for July shows the West and Southwest U.S. receive the most solar radiation. (NOAA)

UVA radiation is what ages your skin and can contribute to cancer, but UVB radiation is the main cause of sunburn and skin cancer.

And your grandma was right: You can get a sunburn on an overcast day, since UVB rays are only partially blocked by clouds.

In fact, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation up to 80 percent of UV rays can pass through clouds.

The amount of UVB in sunlight can vary by season, location and time of day. However, UVA radiation is always around during the day.

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