Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors of Weipa, Australia, where the tropical climate brings abundant sunshine and outdoor opportunities. With UV levels soaring as high as 11 during peak hours, awareness can play a key role in preventing sunburn and safeguarding skin health. In this sunny locale, where UV exposure risks are noteworthy, familiarizing yourself with daily UV fluctuations ensures you can enjoy the outdoors safely while protecting yourself against harmful effects. Stay informed and protect your skin—your health deserves it!
The UV Index today showcases a striking peak at 12:00 PM, hitting an impressive 11, indicating an extremely high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. The day begins relatively mild, with values of just 1 from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM. As the sun climbs, the index steadily rises, reaching 6 by 10:00 AM and soaring to 9 at 11:00 AM. The intensity continues, peaking at high noon before gently tapering off to 10 by 1:00 PM and 9 by 2:00 PM. By late afternoon, the UV risk diminishes noticeably, dropping to 3 by 4:00 PM and tapering off to a safe 1 by 5:00 PM, finally settling at 0 as the sun sets by 7:00 PM. Stay protected during the peak hours to enjoy your time outdoors!
| 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 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index exhibits significant seasonal changes, with the highest readings occurring from January to April, where values remain in the extreme category, peaking at 16. October also shows a spike at 16, indicating that late fall can be just as risky as the early months of the year. The high-risk months for sun exposure are primarily January through April, and October, where the burn time is critically low at just 10 minutes. Visitors and residents should take precautions during these months by using broad-spectrum sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade to prevent skin damage. From June to July, the UV Index drops slightly to 9-10, which is still categorized as very high, allowing for a slightly longer burn time of 15 minutes. However, even then, it's essential to remain vigilant about UV exposure to protect skin health throughout the year.
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 |
| Weipa | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 |