UV index in Tampa in November
In November, the UV index in Tampa typically peaks around 5.2 at midday — moderate on the WHO scale — with individual days reaching 6 in recent years. Sun protection is needed around the middle of the day.
How fast would you burn?
Estimated time to sunburn in unprotected midday sun at UV 5.2:
| Skin type | Time to burn |
|---|---|
| I — Very fair | ~26 min |
| II — Fair | ~32 min |
| III — Medium | ~45 min |
| IV — Olive | ~58 min |
Estimates from typical minimal erythemal doses — see methodology. Darker types (V–VI) burn slower still. Reflection off water or sand shortens all of these.
What to do about it
- Pack SPF 30+ and use it for extended midday time outside — fair skin can burn in under an hour at these levels.
- Mornings and late afternoons are generally low-risk without protection.
- Sunglasses are worth it: cumulative UV drives cataracts even at moderate levels.
Planning a trip? Check the live UV index in Tampa closer to your dates — day-to-day cloud cover moves the real number around this average.
Tampa's UV year at a glance
| Month | Typical midday peak | Level |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4.7 | Moderate |
| February | 5.8 | Moderate |
| March | 7.3 | High |
| April | 8.3 | Very high |
| May | 8.5 | Very high |
| June | 8.3 | Very high |
| July | 8.4 | Very high |
| August | 8 | Very high |
| September | 7.2 | High |
| October | 6.1 | High |
| November | 5.2 | Moderate |
| December | 4.6 | Moderate |
The strongest month is May (typical peak 8.5); the gentlest is December (typical peak 4.6).
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