Weather Ready: Why you need sunscreen in spring, even in Wisconsin

Spring in Wisconsin is one of the peak times for getting a sunburn so you’ll want to be weather ready by slathering on the sunscreen

It may be a weather ready surprise as new reports suggest you need to apply sunscreen in spring, even in Wisconsin!

It’s true. You should be protecting your skin year ‘round, with spring now being one of the peak times you are at risk for getting a sunburn.

Why you need sunscreen protection in the spring

Spring sun can be intense, even before the temperatures warm up. By late spring, UV rays can be summer strength when the sun hits your skin.

Here’s what is happening: UV radiation strengthens as the sun reaches a more direct angle. This occurs throughout May and into June – leading up to the summer solstice on June 21st. The sun is then at its highest angle which means the strongest UV rays could cause your skin to burn.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average UV Index, which is a measure of the sun’s intensity, is at moderate to high levels in May across the Midwest. It’s nearly as high as you’ll find in August. Although the type of rays that cause burning, UVB, are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the UVA rays blamed for wrinkles and skin cancer are present whenever the sun is out. Add in the extra hours of daylight in the spring and it simply means more sun exposure. Your face, neck, and arms need the protection of sunscreen before you head outside.

How to be sunny weather ready all year

Many weather and health experts agree, practicing your sun protection should be a year-round habit. This means applying about a teaspoon-size of sunscreen on each exposed body part, 15 minutes before you go outside. It’s also suggested you reapply it every two hours or right away after you’ve been in the water.

And you should also consider buying a new bottle of sunscreen instead of reaching for last year’s leftovers. Sunscreen can be ­­effective for about three years, so check for an expiration date. However, not every container includes this information, and your sunscreen can quickly go bad if it’s not stored at room temperature.

It’s all a good reminder to be “sunny” weather ready, even if there’s still some spring-time cool outside.