Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents of Barrack Heights, Australia, where the gentle Cfb climate brings with it unique sun exposure risks. By keeping an eye on UV levels, you can protect your skin from harmful effects like sunburn and long-term health issues. With midday UV readings peaking at 4, it’s essential to be proactive about skin care, especially during those sun-drenched days. Awareness helps ensure that outdoor activities remain enjoyable while safeguarding your skin's health under the Australian sun.
As the sun rises, the UV Index starts at a minimal 1 by 07:00 and 08:00, making early outdoor activities safe. By 09:00, it gently ascends to 2, indicating a slight increase in solar exposure. The real action begins at 10:00 with a jump to 3, peaking at 12:00 with a UV Index of 4, when sun safety precautions become essential. After 13:00, the index gradually declines to 3 and then 2 by 14:00, suggesting a decrease in UV intensity. The afternoon wind-down sees the index taper off to 1 between 15:00 and 17:00, before dropping to 0 by evening, making it a perfect time to enjoy the outdoors without the worries of UV exposure.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 13:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 14:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 15:00 | 1 | 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 |
The UV Index exhibits significant seasonal variations, with the highest levels occurring during January, February, March, November, and December, where it reaches an extreme rating of 14 and a burn time of just 10 minutes. Following this, April and September see very high UV levels of 8, necessitating careful sun protection with a burn time of 15 minutes. As temperatures rise, May through August show moderate UV levels (ranging from 3 to 5, with burn times of 30 minutes), making them less risky compared to the high-risk months of January, February, March, November, and December. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautions during extreme and very high UV periods by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade to minimize health risks.
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 |
| Adelaide UVI | 14 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 15 |
| Barrack Heights | 14 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 |
| 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 |