Watch out for sunburns during the spring season

AccuWeather

Even with cooler air and more cloud cover this time of year, you are still susceptible to sunburns. AccuWeather's Ali Reid explains how you can still get sunburned during the spring.

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00:00It may still be springtime and the temperatures might still be mild.

00:04But don't be fooled. Dangerous UV rays can damage your skin before summer even arrives.

00:10Almost 80% of the sun's rays, the UV light can actually be penetrated even through clouds.

00:16So that means the overcast that you see in these spring days actually can be quite deceptive.

00:22And with the Earth's tilt changing in spring, UV rays hit more directly in the late spring and early summer than they do in late summer.

00:30That means more people are spending time outside unprotected without realizing the risk from the sun's damaging rays.

00:38Make sure you stay in the shade if you can, especially during peak hours between 10 and 4.

00:43And when you are outside, just use extra caution if you're by water, sand, or snow, because these are reflective surfaces.

00:53So yes, you might actually burn faster in March than in August.

00:57To protect yourself, start with daily sunscreen even on cloudy days.

01:02You want a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protective factor or SPF of at least 30 or above.

01:11And you want to make sure that it really covers any exposed skin.

01:15And reapply often. Doctors recommend every two hours or after swimming.

01:20And sunscreen is especially important for children.

01:23One blistering sunburn in childhood actually doubles their risk for melanoma.

01:29It's never too early in the season to think about sun safety.

01:32And one of the easiest things you can do to get ahead is check AccuWeather's UV index each morning before you head outside.

01:39For AccuWeather, I'm Allie Reed.

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