How much hotter is the sand at the beach?

Sand can be over 100 degrees Fahrenheit when the outside temperature is only 75 degrees; indeed, when the ambient temperature is 90 degrees, the sand can be over 120 degrees, a passage from the study said. As a point of reference, temperatures in Tampa are forecasted to peak between 89 and 97 degrees from Aug.



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AND YES, THE WATER DOES INTENSIFY THE SUN'S RAYS. And the reason you've been waiting to hear, confirmed — yes, the sun does reflect off of the ocean (or lake or swimming pool) and its rays are intensified as they reach your skin, making your more susceptible to a sunburn.

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With an air temp of 80 degrees Fahrenheit, sand can feel as hot as 110 degrees. With average July temperatures in the 90s, sand can feel hotter than 120 degrees. The lighter the sand, the less heat it holds compared to darker sand. So choose your beach wisely!

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Environmental factors like water and sand can also increase your likelihood of sun damage. These surfaces can reflect up to 80 percent of UV radiation, so the sun's rays are hitting you twice.

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People generally tend to tan more near beaches, as they are typically in closer proximity to the sun and may spend more time outdoors in the sun. The reflection of sunlight off the water can also increase the amount of UV radiation that a person is exposed to.

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Sand is a poor conductor of heat so when the Sun warms the sand, the heat is not distributed evenly, making the surface hot. Also the specific heat of sand is lower than that of water so when both are exposed to the same amount of light, the sand at the surface will have a higher change in temperature.

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But the surrounding scorching sand is often another story. It measured a stunning 137 degrees at peak heat one recent sunny day, according to infrared surface thermometer. “You can't even walk barefoot for more than a minute.” said Juvens Dalger, a personal trainer leading a workout at training site at Lummus Park.

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While everyone enjoys their time in the sun, we'd advise taking a break every now and again. Use umbrellas, beach tents or natural shade to protect yourself when the sun's rays are strongest – between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

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