Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Barham, Australia, where the BSk climate brings unique sun exposure challenges. As our sun's rays can be deceptive, knowing UV levels helps prevent sunburn and protects overall skin health. With UV exposure peaking mid-day—hitting levels up to 3 between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM—it's essential to stay informed and take protective measures. Whether you're enjoying outdoor activities or simply soaking in the sun, being aware of the UV Index can make all the difference in safeguarding your skin.
The UV Index throughout the day reveals a gradual increase in sun intensity, peaking mid-afternoon. Starting at 0 at 07:00, the index rises to 1 by 08:00 and remains moderate at 1 for the following hour. As the sun ascends, the intensity reaches 2 by 10:00, climbing further to 3 at 11:00, sustaining this level until 14:00. After this peak, a gentle decline begins, with the index dropping to 2 at 15:00, and gradually easing back to 1 by 17:00, before retreating to 0 by 18:00. For anyone spending time outdoors, the late morning to early afternoon presents the highest UV exposure; thus, caution and sun protection are highly advisable during these hours.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 11:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 13:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 14:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 16:00 | 1 | 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 levels fluctuate significantly, with January and December exhibiting the highest UV Index at 14 and 15, indicating an extreme exposure category with a burn time of only 10 minutes. Following closely, February and March also remain high at 13 and 11, respectively. The transition into April sees a slight decrease to a very high exposure level of 8, where individuals should still be cautious with a burn time of 15 minutes. May and June bring lower UV levels with a moderate exposure category of 5 and 3, allowing for a longer burn time of 30 minutes. Notably, September increases to a high exposure level of 7, demanding a burn time of 25 minutes. As the year comes to a close, November sees another spike into the extreme category at 12. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take protective measures, such as using sunscreen and wearing protective clothing, particularly during the high-risk months of January, February, March, November, and December when UV exposure poses the greatest threat.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne UVI | 14 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 14 |
| Barham | 14 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 15 |
| Adelaide UVI | 14 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 15 |
| Sydney UVI | 14 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 |
| Perth UVI | 14 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 14 |
| Brisbane UVI | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 15 |