Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Sapphire, Australia, where the sun can be intense, especially during peak hours. Awareness of UV levels plays a vital role in sunburn prevention and protects your skin health by guiding you on when to seek shade or apply sunscreen. With a BSh climate, Sapphire experiences significant UV exposure risks, particularly around midday, when values can soar to 8. Stay informed and take proactive measures to enjoy the sun safely while preserving your skin's well-being!
The UV Index throughout the day reveals a sharp increase in intensity, peaking around 12:00 PM, where it reaches an impressive 8. Early morning hours start softly with a maximum of 1 at 07:00, gradually climbing to 3 by 09:00 and hitting 6 at 10:00. 11:00 marks a significant rise to 7, before hitting the day’s zenith at 12:00. As the afternoon progresses, we see a decline, dropping to 5 by 14:00 and diminishing further to 3 by 15:00. The UV Index then falls sharply in the late afternoon and evening, settling back down to 1 by 17:00 and ultimately reaching 0 as night takes over. It’s crucial to stay safe under the sun during those peak hours, particularly between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM!
| 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 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 14:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 1 | 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, peaking in the winter months and tapering down slightly during the summer. The highest risk months for UV exposure are January, February, March, and November, each with an extreme UV Index of 15 or higher, indicating a potential burn time of just 10 minutes. April and September also see extreme levels, highlighting a need for caution. As we move into the summer, the UV Index decreases to a maximum of 8 in May and 10 in August, considered very high, with burn times extending to 15 minutes and up to 25 minutes in June and July, categorized as high. Residents and visitors should be diligent about protecting their skin during these months, particularly from November to March, as exposure can lead to severe sunburn. It's advisable to use sunscreen, seek shade, and wear protective clothing during the highest UV exposure 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 |
| Sapphire | 16 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 16 |