Latest news with #UVindex
New York Times
3 days ago
- Health
- New York Times
How Lifeguards Avoid Sunburns (and Treat Them When They Happen)
Wearing sunscreen is an extremely important part of sun safety, but if you plan to spend long stretches of time outside, reapplying it multiple times throughout the day is just as critical as putting it on in the first place. 'Many individuals apply sunscreen when they first arrive at the beach but forget to reapply after swimming or prolonged sun exposure, which leaves them vulnerable,' Bernard Fisher, the director of health and safety for the American Lifeguard Association, told me over email. 'Sun safety is an ongoing habit, not a one-time action.' On average, King spends anywhere from eight to 10 hours a day out in the sun. At the beginning of her shift, she slathers herself in the same sunscreen she's been using for the last ten years: Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion. King opts for the physical sunscreen by Blue Lizard for her skin, which can be easily irritated by the chemical sunscreens she's tried in the past. It goes on thick and can leave a bit of a white cast behind, but King said she doesn't mind because it reminds her that she's protected. During a typical shift, she'll reapply three to four times, depending on the length of a shift and the day's UV index. (Check the National Weather Service website to see your area's UV index.) To ensure her sunscreen doesn't turn into a soupy mess, she stores it in a pouch that she keeps tucked out of direct sunlight. 'Sometimes, I'll even throw it in my lunch box so that it stays cold,' she added. King swears by the tinted Vertra Sunscreen Face Stick SPF 38, which she says provides a skin-smoothing finish and uses it as her main source of face coverage. (We've previously reported that it's trickier to get full protection from stick sunscreens than lotions; the American Academy of Dermatology recommends four passes back and forth if you're using a stick.) 'Honestly, it kind of looks like I'm wearing makeup when I have it on,' King told me during a phone interview. 'If I have to go somewhere right after work and I still have sunscreen on my face, I don't even care because it makes my skin look amazing.' King says the brand is a staple in the California surf community. 'Pretty much everyone that I work with uses it,' she added, regardless of their gender. The Vertra face stick comes in a handful of shades; King likes to start the season with ehukai beige, eventually switching to the kona gold later on as her skin develops a bit of a tan. On her lips, she likes to use Vertra's Coconut Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF 15 unless 'it's a crazy high UV index day,' in which case she'll swipe her sunscreen stick directly over her lips for more protection. Dubinski's go-to body sunscreen is Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50, a longtime Wirecutter pick. She likes that it doesn't feel tacky or greasy on her skin, and, most importantly, she loves the way it smells. She used to dread smelling like traditional sunscreen — now she doesn't mind Supergoop's scent at all. She wears sunscreen every day, even if she's not working. To remind herself to apply it whenever she leaves the house, she likes to keep an 18-ounce pump bottle of Supergoop Play by her keys. 'For sensitive areas — like around the hands, the tops of the knees, the backs of the ears — zinc oxide is really the way to go,' Dubinski said of her go-to Badger lotion, which is one of our sunscreen picks for physical and reef-safe protection. It still leaves behind a slight white cast, but Dubinski said that's the sacrifice she makes for highly effective zinc oxide sunscreen. 'It's not about vanity,' she said. Dubinski finds it helpful to carry a selection of sunscreens when she's working on film or television sets as an EMT. Tommi Dubinski More often than not, the type of sunscreen that works best for any given individual comes down to personal preference. When Dubinski is on a TV or film set as an EMT, she likes to keep an array of physical and chemical options in her emergency kit, including Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion, Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50, and Banana Boat Sport Ultra Spray SPF 30. 'I always have a selection of different types of sunscreens on hand because I know first-hand how long it can take to find a sunscreen that you actually want to wear,' she said. 'And even though I don't find spray bottle sunscreen as effective, I know that some people prefer it, so I always have [a sprayable option] because something is always better than nothing.' Werneth also keeps spray sunscreen on hand to use in a pinch. 'I put the stuff in my hair — I fill my palm up and I scrub it into my scalp as if it were hair gel,' he said of his hack, which he employs mostly as a last resort when he knows he'll be in the water without a hat. 'My hair will come out all spiked up and I'll look like Billy Idol, you know, but I don't care.' (The Skin Cancer Foundation says hats and 'any type of sunscreen that works for your face' are your best bets for scalp protection.)
CTV News
6 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Heat warning: Humidex values expected to reach 46
Dangerous heat and humidity continues across the region on Monday. Daytime highs are expected to be anywhere from 33 to 30 C, with the humidex values making it feel like upward of 46 C. There isn't much relief in the overnight period with the temperature staying as high as 25 C. According to Environment Canada, "The heat event may continue into Wednesday, but there is uncertainty at this time." Here's a look at the rest of the forecast Monday: Sunny. Wind becoming southwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 this morning. High 36. Humidex 46. UV index 11 or extreme. Monday Night: Clear. Wind southwest 30 km/h becoming light this evening. Low 24. Tuesday: Sunny in the morning then a mix of sun and cloud with 40 per cent chance of showers in the afternoon. Risk of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Wind becoming west 20 km/h gusting to 40 in the morning. High 35. Humidex 46. UV index 11 or extreme. Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud with 40 per cent chance of showers. High 31. Thursday: Cloudy with 60 per cent chance of showers. High 31. Friday: Cloudy with 60 per cent chance of showers. High 27.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Map reveals where being outdoors during the summer could kill you in a matter of minutes... are you at risk?
Experts are sounding the alarm over the hotter-than-average weather making its way across the US - warning that exposure to these temperatures could lead to life-threatening health complications. The US is currently experiencing a 'heat dome, which occurs when the atmosphere traps hot air over certain areas like a lid on a pot. It's ripping through the Midwest and Northeast, with temperatures expected to reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit - and at temperatures this high, deadly heat stroke could strike in under 15 minutes But temperature is only one part of the equation - the UV index is also important. The ultraviolet index is a measurement of the strength of sunburn-producing UV radiation - it indicates how strong the sun's UV rays are. The higher the index, the stronger the rays. Zero to two indicates there is minimal danger from the sun, but an index of just three to five is considered risky and people are advised to wear sun protection, such as sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and sun-protective clothing. At a six or seven, there is moderate risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Eight to 10 indicates high risk and people may experience burns in under 10 minutes. Anything 11 or above is very high risk and people with fair skin can experience dangerous burns in just five minutes. People are advised to stay indoors or avoid the sun completely. And this summer - millions of Americans will experience these dangerously high levels. There is no end limit on the scale, as it is measured based on what can cause burns to people and can continue to increase as temperatures rise and the sun's rays become stronger. According to the EPA, every American is expected to be exposed to high temperatures this summer. Even Alaska has issued its first-ever heat warning this week, though its UV levels are still low. However, some are more at risk of life-threatening complications. Based on average indices recorded between 2006 and 2023, people in the southwest are expected to experience UV levels ranging from 10 to 13 and beyond. In June, western and eastern Texas, along with much of New Mexico, Colorado and Hawaii, as well as eastern Arizona will see indices of 12 to 13. Southern California, Nevada and Utah and western Arizona, as well as parts of Wyoming, Kanas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia will see a UV index of 11 or 12. All of Florida and nearly everyone in Louisiana will also experience UV levels of 11 to 12. As the summer progresses, UV indices of 12 to 13 will reach southern Florida and parts of California. And higher levels - seven to nine - will begin creeping north, reaching Washington, Oregon, Montana, the Dakotas, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Maine. In August, levels will begin to dip a bit - decreasing to slightly lower levels than June. High UV exposure can lead to sunburns, which may blister and scar. Blistering that breaks the skin may increase the risk of infection, as bacteria and other contaminants can enter the area. UV exposure is also the leading cause of skin cancer, which strikes 5.4million Americans every year. And the risk of getting its deadliest form, melanoma, doubles after getting just five - or more - sunburns in your lifetime. Researchers believe UV indices are increasing because the ozone layer, which absorbs most of the suns UV rays, is depleting due to increased greenhouse gas commissions.
Irish Times
19-06-2025
- Climate
- Irish Times
Ireland weather: Temperatures set to soar up to 28 degrees
Temperatures are set to soar across Ireland this week reaching up to 28 degrees, Met Éireann says. After a misty start on Thursday, 'long spells of summer sunshine' will develop in the afternoon. The forecaster said there will be temperatures of up to 26 degrees, with light to moderate southeast breezes. The weather will be very mild and close on Thursday night, with temperatures to remain above 13 degrees. While most areas will remain dry, localised heavy showers may also occur. Friday promises to be hot and humid, with top temperatures of 21 to 28 degrees. It will be hottest in the north of the country and overall dry, although showers may break out locally. READ MORE There will be mostly moderate southeast breezes. UV levels will be high (6-7) in the coming days. Met Éireann advises a UV index of 3 or above calls for additional protection due to the potential for skin damage. Seeking shade during midday hours and using SFF are both strongly encouraged Plan your day to limit time in the sun when UV is strongest, typically between 11am and 3pm. High night-time temperatures in summer can be more impactful than high daytime temperatures, especially on the vulnerable, the forecaster warns. Saturday will see a continuation of the warm sunshine with a scattering of showers, some heavy and possibly thundery. Temperatures are expected to reach up to 25 degrees and it will be warmest across the eastern half of the country, with light to moderate southwesterly winds. Sunday looks fresher and breezier with highest temperatures of 15 to 20 degrees, according to Met Éireann. There will be some showery rain alongside the sunny spells, with brisk westerly winds. Looking ahead into the start of next week, similar conditions are likely to prevail with fresh westerly winds steering in a scattering of passing showers and sunshine at times in between.
CTV News
04-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Here's how hot it will be in Barrie on Wednesday
Wednesday is the fourth day of June, and it is finally starting to feel like it. Environment Canada is forecasting a humidex above 30 degrees on Wednesday and hazy skies due to smoke from the northwestern wildfires. According to the weather agency, Barrie's temperatures will reach a high of 28 degrees with a humidex of 33 and a 'very high' UV index of eight. Their 'normal' June 4 high for the city is 22 degrees. Environmental Canada is also forecasting an air quality risk of five out of ten for Barrie, which they consider to be a 'moderate' risk. Hazy skies from wildfire smoke are expected to continue, which the weather agency says may obscure the sky's visibility and clarity. No official alerts are in effect. Possible showers with the risk of a thunderstorm are in the forecast for Wednesday afternoon and evening.
