Last updated: May 3, 2025
In the Tanami Desert, understanding the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and overall health. With its BSh climate characterized by intense sunlight and high temperatures, Tanami faces significant UV exposure risks, particularly during midday hours. A high UV Index reading can lead to sunburns and long-term skin damage if precautions aren’t taken. Being aware of the UV levels throughout the day empowers residents and visitors to make informed choices about sun safety, ensuring a healthier outdoor experience. Remember, in Tanami, from 0900 hours to 1500 hours, UV levels can spike, so understanding this index can make all the difference in preventing harmful sun exposure.
As the sun rises, the UV Index starts off low at a comfortable 1 from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM. By 9:00 AM, it jumps to 3, signaling a gradual increase in sun exposure. The intensity peaks around 12:00 PM, reaching an impressive 9, making midday the most critical time for sun safety. As the afternoon unfolds, the index slowly declines; it drops to 7 by 2:00 PM, then further decreases to 4 at 3:00 PM. The later hours offer a gentle reprieve, with values falling to 1 by 5:00 PM and ultimately 0 by 6:00 PM. Remember, during those peak hours, it’s essential to protect your skin!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | 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 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 7 | 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 |
The UV Index prominently varies throughout the year, with peaks in the winter months showcasing extremely high levels. Notably, from January to April, the UV Index remains consistent at 17 to 13 and is categorized as extreme, indicating a burn time of just 10 minutes. As spring transitions into summer, the index decreases to 10 in May and 8 in June and July, classified as very high, allowing for slightly longer safe exposure times of 15 minutes. However, August to October see a return to extreme levels, notably 11 in August and 15 in October, with burn times falling back to 10 minutes. November and December are similarly intense, with UV Index readings returning to 17 and 16 respectively. Therefore, residents and visitors should exercise caution and wear appropriate sun protection during these high-risk months, particularly from January to April and again in August, September, and October, ensuring minimal UV exposure.
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 |
| Tanami | 17 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 16 |