Vitamin D in Jamaica in September: sun, UV and what to expect
Bad weather Bad weather: September is a peak month for tropical storms here, so a beach stay is not recommended. If you still go, check forecasts and travel insurance.
7.6 hsun window (UV 2.5+)
7.9peak UV Index
7 minto a full dose
32°Cafternoon high
21/30rainy days
27/30sunny days
How long in the sun in September?
- If you travel anyway, plan your sun session around midday (roughly 11:00 to 15:00), when the UV Index peaks at about 7.9. With about a quarter of your skin bare, a full dose takes around 7 minutes for skin type III at age 30, and about 13 minutes at age 65.
- Stop well before your skin turns pink. At this UV level skin type III can start to burn after about 25 minutes of midday sun, so cover up, find shade and use SPF 30+ on skin that stays out.
- On clear days the UV Index reaches about 8.7, which is very strong. Keep sessions short and protect the rest of the day.
- Water, sand and light surfaces reflect UV, so at the beach you get a little more sun than the number suggests, for the good and the bad.
| Skin type | Full dose, age 30 | Full dose, age 65 | Time to burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type I | 5 min | 8 min | 17 min |
| Type II | 6 min | 11 min | 21 min |
| Type III | 7 min | 13 min | 25 min |
| Type IV | 10 min | 19 min | 38 min |
| Type V | 14 min | 25 min | 51 min |
| Type VI | 23 min | 42 min | 84 min |
Minutes at midday for about 1,000 IU of vitamin D with a quarter of the body bare, at Ocho Rios, the median coastal place. Time to burn is the time to reach one minimal erythemal dose and does not depend on age. A rough planning guide, not medical advice.
Places in Jamaica in September
| Place | Rating | Sun window | Full dose | Afternoon high | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston | Bad weather | 7.8 h | 7 min | 32°C | 13/30 |
| Port Antonio | Bad weather | 7.8 h | 7 min | 32°C | 19/30 |
| Montego Bay | Bad weather | 7.9 h | 7 min | 32°C | 22/30 |
| Ocho Rios | Bad weather | 7.6 h | 7 min | 32°C | 21/30 |
| Treasure Beach | Bad weather | 7.6 h | 7 min | 34°C | 19/30 |
| Negril | Too hot | 7.7 h | 7 min | 33°C | 24/30 |
Other months in Jamaica
- Jan Good
- Feb Excellent
- Mar Excellent
- Apr Bad weather
- May Bad weather
- Jun Bad weather
- Jul Too hot
- Aug Bad weather
- Sep Bad weather
- Oct Bad weather
- Nov Bad weather
- Dec Good
Best months: December to March. Full Jamaica guide