Is it true that the hotter the day, the more sunburned you get? —C.F., Brooklyn, N.Y.
Not necessarily. If it’s sunny, you’re just as likely to burn on a cool summer day as you are on a hotter one. Air temperature is influenced by numerous atmospheric conditions, such as wind and moisture,that don’t contribute to sunburn, which is caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
It’s true that sunburn is more likely in warmer seasons or climates—during summer,for example,or closer to the equator—but that’s because the sun’s UV emissions are most intense in those times or places. UV rays can burn you even when the sun is obscured by clouds and in the dead of winter. That’s particularly true at high altitudes, where the reflection from snow and the reduced filtering effects of the thinned atmosphere make the sun’s radiation especially intense.
To avoid sunburn, see our tips for staying safe in the sun and our new sunscreens report and Ratings (subscribers only).
