Last updated: August 1, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Sumbe, Angola is crucial for safeguarding your skin and overall health, especially in a region where the climate tends to be warm and sunny. The UV levels here can vary significantly throughout the day, peaking at midday with an index of 7, which indicates a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Awareness of these UV levels helps residents and visitors alike prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage, enabling enjoyable outdoor activities while keeping skin health a priority. With Sumbe's climate classified as BSh, characterized by significant sunshine, being vigilant about UV exposure is essential to ensure safe and healthy sun practices.
As the sun rises, the UV Index remains low at 1 from 07:00 to 08:00, making it a perfect time for early risers. However, by 09:00, the index climbs to 3, signaling that afternoon activities should be planned cautiously. The peak intensity occurs between 11:00 and 13:00, reaching a maximum of 7, suggesting that sun protection is essential during these hours. Afternoon hours witness a gradual decline as the index dips to 5 at 14:00, followed by a further decrease to 3 by 15:00. As the day winds down, the UV exposure diminishes significantly to 2 at 16:00 and drops to 1 by 17:00, before falling to 0 by 18:00, signaling a safe end to sun exposure for the day. Stay savvy and protect your skin, especially during those peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV Index levels fluctuate significantly, peaking during the winter months and declining in the summer. Notably, January to April consistently sees extreme exposure, with UV Index values ranging from 13 to 15 and a burn time of just 10 minutes. The high-risk months are thus characterized by these elevated readings, particularly in February. As we move into May and June, the index drops slightly to a very high class, allowing for a marginally longer burn time of 15 minutes. July marks the transition to a high risk period, yet the burn time increases to 25 minutes. As summer fades into autumn, August and September return to very high exposure, but with manageable burn times of 15 minutes. The year concludes with another extreme wave in October and November, each holding a UV Index of 14 and a burn time of 10 minutes. Visitors and residents should exercise caution year-round, particularly during the extreme months, and consider protective measures such as sunscreen, protective clothing, and avoiding midday sun exposure to minimize risks associated with harmful UV radiation.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luanda UVI | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
| Sumbe | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 |
| Benguela UVI | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 |
| Lobito UVI | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 |
| N'dalatando UVI | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 14 |
| Huambo UVI | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 16 |