Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Charters Towers, Australia, awareness of the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin health and preventing sunburn. Understanding the UV levels throughout the day can empower you to take appropriate protective measures, especially in a climate characterized by hot semi-arid conditions like that of Charters Towers, where the sun's rays can be particularly intense. With UV Index values peaking at 8 around midday, it becomes essential to stay informed and proactive in minimizing your exposure during the highest risk hours. Stay vigilant and protect your skin from harmful UV radiation!
At dawn, the UV Index remains low, peaking at 1 by 08:00. As the sun rises higher, a notable increase occurs, reaching 3 at 09:00 and escalating dramatically to a maximum of 8 from 12:00 to 13:00. This midday surge indicates a higher risk for sun exposure, making it essential to take precautions such as wearing sunscreen and protective clothing. The intensity then gradually declines, dropping to 4 by 15:00, and continuing its descent to 0 by 19:00, marking the end of the sun’s peak influence for the day. Stay mindful of these hourly fluctuations to enjoy the sun safely!
| 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 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 6 | 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 |
Throughout the year, the UV Index experiences significant fluctuations, with the highest values observed from January to April, where it consistently exceeds 15, indicating an extreme exposure category. Notably, January, February, and March report the highest UV levels at 17, 16, and 15 respectively, posing a considerable risk of sunburn within just 10 minutes of exposure. As summer approaches, the UV Index begins to decline slightly, with May reaching a very high level of 9 and June dropping to 7 under a high category, allowing for a longer burn time of 25 minutes. However, July sees a rise again to 15 minutes of burn time. August returns to extreme levels at 11, and September follows with 13, both necessitating caution. The final months of the year continue to exhibit high risk, with October, November, and December reconfirming extreme exposure levels of 15, 16, and 16, respectively. Visitors and residents are advised to take precautionary measures during the high-risk months from January to April and August to September by wearing sun protection, seeking shade, and limiting direct sun exposure, especially during peak hours.
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 |
| Charters Towers | 17 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 |