Vitamin D in Maine in May: sun, UV and what to expect
Too cold Too cold here in May: afternoon highs average only 16.6°C, which is too chilly for sunbathing in light clothing. Try another month or a warmer destination.
6.8 hsun window (UV 2.5+)
6.1peak UV Index
9 minto a full dose
17°Cafternoon high
3/30rainy days
22/30sunny days
How long in the sun in May?
- If you travel anyway, plan your sun session around midday (roughly 11:00 to 15:00), when the UV Index peaks at about 6.1. With about a quarter of your skin bare, a full dose takes around 9 minutes for skin type III at age 30, and about 16 minutes at age 65.
- Stop well before your skin turns pink. At this UV level skin type III can start to burn after about 33 minutes of midday sun, so cover up, find shade and use SPF 30+ on skin that stays out.
- 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 | 6 min | 11 min | 22 min |
| Type II | 7 min | 14 min | 27 min |
| Type III | 9 min | 16 min | 33 min |
| Type IV | 13 min | 25 min | 49 min |
| Type V | 17 min | 33 min | 66 min |
| Type VI | 29 min | 55 min | 1.8 h |
Minutes at midday for about 1,000 IU of vitamin D with a quarter of the body bare, at Acadia National Park, 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 Maine in May
| Place | Rating | Sun window | Full dose | Afternoon high | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Orchard Beach | Too cold | 7.3 h | 9 min | 19°C | 5/30 |
| Bar Harbor | Too cold | 6.8 h | 9 min | 17°C | 4/30 |
| Acadia National Park | Too cold | 6.8 h | 9 min | 17°C | 3/30 |
| Kennebunkport | Too cold | 6.4 h | 9 min | 17°C | 9/30 |
| Portland | Too cold | 6.3 h | 10 min | 12°C | 3/30 |
Other months in Maine
- Jan Too cold
- Feb Too cold
- Mar Too cold
- Apr Too cold
- May Too cold
- Jun Good
- Jul Good
- Aug Good
- Sep Too cold
- Oct Too cold
- Nov Too cold
- Dec Too cold
Best months: June to August. Full Maine guide