Peak UV Times

Our sunrise/sunset tables can be used to determine the time of peak UV radiation in your area.  Simply look up the time of Solar Noon on our tables - this happens to coincide with peak UV time.  Just remember to add one hour to our tables if Daylight Time is in effect.

Take precautions 2-1/2 hours either side of solar noon.  For example, solar noon occurs in Toronto tomorrow at 1:25 p.m. EDT, therefore, the danger period runs from about 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For a free sun table for the current month in your location visit our Sun Tables page at http://www.sunposition.com/tables.html

Environment Canada states:

• "The amount of UV you receive depends on both the strength of the sun's rays (measured by the UV Index) and the amount of time you spend in the sun. Reduce your time in the sun – seek shade, particularly between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from April to September.
• Cover up, wear a broad-brimmed hat, a shirt with long sleeves and wrap-around sunglasses or ones with side shields
• Use sunscreen – with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher, with both UVA and UVB protection. Apply generously before going outside, and reapply often, especially after swimming or exercise
• Listen for Environment Canada’s UV Index – it’s included in your local weather forecast whenever it is forecast to reach 3 (moderate) or more that day."

For more info and tips on UV protection from Environment Canada, visit  

http://www.msc-smc.ec.gc.ca/education/uvindex/protecting_yourself_e.html

Cheers, Ralph 

Daylight Saving Time

For those of you in North American jurisdictions that observe Daylight Saving Time, don't forget to 'spring' your clocks forward one hour this Saturday night! Official time change occurs at 2:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 14th.

Starting in 2007, daylight time begins in North America on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. On the second Sunday in March, clocks are set ahead one hour at 2:00 a.m. local standard time, which becomes 3:00 a.m. local daylight time. On the first Sunday in November, clocks are set back one hour at 2:00 a.m. local daylight time, which becomes 1:00 a.m. local standard time.

Not all places in the U.S. observe daylight time. In particular, Hawaii and most of Arizona do not use it. Indiana adopted its use beginning in 2006. In Canada, most of Saskatchewan, parts of Quebec, and Southampton Island in Nunavut do not observe daylight time.

Year   Begin        End
2007   March 11   November 4
2008   March 9     November 2
2009   March 8     November 1
2010   March 14   November 7
2011   March 13   November 6
2012   March 11   November 4
2013   March 10   November 3
2014   March 9     November 2
2015   March 8     November 1

Source: USNO and National Research Council Canada