Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for the residents of Palmerston, Australia, where the tropical climate can lead to high levels of ultraviolet radiation. Knowledge of UV levels is essential for effective sunburn prevention and maintaining long-term skin health, especially given the peak UV Index reaches a striking 11 during midday. With the city's warm, sunny weather, residents are at an increased risk of overexposure to UV rays, making it vital to stay informed and protect your skin. Be prepared to enjoy the outdoors while safeguarding your health by keeping an eye on the UV Index in Palmerston!
As the day unfolds, the UV Index reaches its peak between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM, soaring to a striking 11. The morning starts gently, with the index at a modest 1 by 7:00 AM, slowly climbing to 4 by 9:00 AM. The sun then intensifies, pushing the index to a strong 10 at 11:00 AM, signaling it's time to seek shade and protect your skin. By 2:00 PM, it begins to wane, dropping to 8, and further decreases to 5 by 3:00 PM. As the afternoon progresses, the index continues to fall, reaching 2 at 4:00 PM, and finally settling at 1 by 5:00 PM and 0 as the sun sets at 6:00 PM. Stay aware and shield yourself during those crucial midday hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 5 | 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, the UV Index exhibits significant seasonal fluctuations, particularly peaking during the winter months and remaining high into early spring. The highest-risk months for UV exposure are January to April, where the UV Index ranges between 13 and 16, categorizing exposure as extreme, with a burn time of just 10 minutes. As summer approaches, while the UV Index drops slightly to 9 and 10 in June and July with very high exposure categories, caution is still advised as burn times increase to 15 minutes. The trend then shifts back to extreme levels from August to December. Therefore, visitors and residents should take precautionary measures year-round, particularly from January to April, ensuring ample sun protection, including sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade to minimize the risk of skin damage.
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 |
| Brisbane UVI | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 15 |
| Palmerston | 15 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 |