Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors of Goonellabah, Australia, where the subtropical climate presents unique sun exposure challenges. With UV levels rising significantly from mid-morning to early afternoon, awareness of these fluctuations can be paramount in preventing sunburn and protecting your skin health. As you enjoy the beauty of Goonellabah, remember that even a mild UV Index can pose risks, making it essential to monitor the daily UV levels and take necessary precautions to safeguard against harmful effects.
Starting off the day, the UV Index remains low, peaking at 1 from 7 AM to 8 AM, making it safe for early outdoor activities. However, from 9 AM, the index begins to climb, reaching 4 by 11 AM and hitting a midday high of 5 at 12 PM—the ideal time for a little extra sun protection. As the afternoon progresses, the index decreases, tapering off to 4 at 1 PM and gradually declining to 1 by 3 PM. By the time evening approaches after 5 PM, the UV Index drops to 0, indicating it's time to enjoy the outdoors without worrying about 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 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 13:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 14:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 16:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index exhibits considerable seasonal variation, peaking in the winter months of January, February, and March, where it reaches extreme levels (16-13), accompanied by a very quick burn time of just 10 minutes. As spring approaches in April, the index decreases slightly to 10 but remains very high, allowing for a burn time of 15 minutes. May and August see a drop to 7, classified as high, with burn times extending to 25 minutes. The summer months of June and July remain moderate at 5, allowing for longer exposure of 30 minutes before risk increases again in September with a very high index of 9 and a shorter burn time of 15 minutes. The trend shifts back to extreme levels in October, November, and December (12-15), demanding careful attention to UV exposure with only 10 minutes before burn onset. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to prioritize sun protection during the high-risk months of January through March and October through November, by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and hat, and to seek shade as necessary to minimize the risk of UV-related harm.
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 |
| 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 |
| Goonellabah | 16 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 15 |
| Brisbane UVI | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 15 |