Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Charters Towers, Australia, where the sun can be exceptionally intense. With UV levels peaking at 9 during the midday hours, awareness of these metrics is vital for sunburn prevention and promoting long-term skin health. Charters Towers, characterized by its BSh climate, experiences high UV exposure that can lead to increased risks of skin damage. By familiarizing yourself with the UV Index and taking appropriate precautions, you can enjoy the beautiful Australian sun while safeguarding your skin.
The UV Index today tells a compelling story of sun exposure throughout the day. Starting low at 1 by 07:00, it gradually climbs to a moderate 3 by 09:00. As the day progresses, the intensity peaks impressively at 9 around 12:00, signaling that the sun is at its most powerful. The afternoon remains vibrant but begins to taper off as we see a drop to 4 by 15:00. Post-sunset, the UV Index plummets to 0 between 18:00 and 19:00, indicating a retreat from harmful rays. It’s a day where staying sun-smart is crucial during the midday hours, especially between 10:00 and 14:00.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | 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 | 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 |