UV index "very high" in Saskatchewan, says Environment Canada
Skin susceptible to burning after 15 minutes of exposure
First Posted: Jun 25, 2012 1:06pm
| Last Updated: Jun 25, 2012 5:12pm
Some powerful, invisible light is radiating at one of its strongest levels across Saskatchewan today.
The UV, or ultraviolet, index is at nine in Regina and 10 in Saskatoon.
"Ten is very high, anything above 10 is extremely rare in Canada," said John Paul Cragg, meteorologist with Environment Canada.
UV rays are a form of invisible light with shorter wavelengths than light we can see. Cragg said the most powerful rays come out between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
"Even in cloudy skies, the UV can still penetrate and you can still get burned and you can still get UV damage."
When the UV index gets this high, Cragg says skin can sizzle within 15 minutes of being outside.
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Saskatoon's unofficial beach is packed with sun lovers. Bre McAdam/News Talk Radio