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Sun Safety: Protect Your Skin During Spring
March 23, 2026 at 03:41 AM EDT
By WeatherBug Meteorologists
We’ve crossed that imaginary wall into spring, which means you will likely be spending more time outdoors! Time to brush up on sun safety before heading outdoors.
Spring is here, and temperatures soaring into the 60s, 70s, and even 80s, will soon become the norm across much of the U.S. The outdoors will be flooded with a plethora of activities to do, such as running, biking, and swimming, just to name a few. Although these things are fun, limiting your time outdoors will become necessary to prevent sun-related illnesses.
One common illness from too much sun exposure is skin cancer. This form of cancer is brought about by an excess absorption of the sun’s ultraviolet rays or UV rays for short. Although it is important to limit exposure year-round, warmer temperatures during the spring and summer months can compound other issues on top of skin cancer, such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Across the U.S., the sun’s UV rays tend to be the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
If your local UV forecast is a three or higher, here are some things you can do to protect yourself and loved ones from the harmful rays:
- Shade- Nothing like a natural coolant! Shade can provide a moment’s relief if you’ve been outdoors for a long period of time. Shade also limits your exposure to UV rays, thus limiting your chances of developing skin diseases. Make sure you pack an umbrella if going to the beach or take a break under a tree if you’re taking a jog!
- Clothing- Wearing darker-colored clothes or tightly woven items such as shirts and long pants will provide the best protection from UV rays. Though a light-colored shirt will keep you cool, it offers the least protection from UV rays and skin diseases.
- Headwear- Hats, such as those that cover your face, ears, and top of your head, offer the best protection. Once more, hats that can absorb UV rays, such as darker colored hats, are the best options. However, avoid hats that have holes or openings as they will allow more exposure to UV rays.
- Sunglasses- Not only providing a fashion statement, but sunglasses can also reduce UV rays being absorbed by the skin near your eyes. Also, you can reduce the risk of developing cataracts, which can lead to cloudy vision. Make sure to check that your sunglasses are UVA and UVB-approved in order to offer the best protection.
- Sunscreen- Last but certainly not least, sunscreen is a vital addition to your sun-blocking arsenal. It’s important to note that it is not recommended that sunscreen be applied to babies under 6 months old. Make sure any sunscreen that is chosen is UVA and UVB-approved and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Also, reapply frequently to further protect your skin if you plan to be outdoors for longer than 2 hours, and check that expiration date!
Source(s): National Weather Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(Image provided by Pixabay.com)