Why do I get more tan in different states

Question

I have no idea how to phrase this question, the best way I can do it is by explaining. So please read.

I went to California and hung out on the hot beach for an hour or two and got a tan, that lasted for weeks.

Then I went to Utah, and I walked around in the hot weather and didn't even get a mark? No tan or nothing? Same clothes, but different outcome. Why is this? The weather was just the same, ACTUALLY it was cooler in California. Why can't I get a tan here?

Answer 1

Hi Morgan,

There are many things which likely impacted your tanning abilities but two major ones are location and reflections.

The most likely factor has to do with latitude - those geographic grid lines that we use for GPS/maps. Latitude is the one that goes left-to right across the US, like lined notebook paper. The most prominent latitude line is the equator (marked with a zero) and then the lines go up in number as you get more north. If you were in the "lower" part of the US, you would be closer to the equator than if you were in, say, Canada. This is important because the sun beams are more direct / intense when you are closer to the equator. Many people go to the lower US, not realizing the sun is more direct / intense, and they get sunburned / a really nice tan.

Now, when I look at a map of the US, there are parts of California that are at the same latitude as Utah, so this may not have been the case for you, but it's something to keep in mind if you visit SoCal, Texas, Florida, etc... I was raised in FL and we would see poor tourists get sooooo burned! :'(

I did mention there were other reasons you could have gotten more tan. My next guess would be that the sand and water of the beach reflected sunlight back onto you when you were on the beach, thus adding to your exposure. Being in Utah, the ground probably wasn't as reflective. Concrete or grass don't reflect as well as bright sand or water. Actually, ice is very reflective too, so some people go to Alaska in the summer and get a sunburn from the added exposure from all the water/ice reflections! It's crazy!

It sounds like you tan well, rather than burn, which is nice. Just keep these factors in mind as you travel around the US. Have fun!