Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Balaklava, Australia, to protect themselves from harmful sun exposure. With its BSk climate, Balaklava experiences significant UV levels that can quickly lead to sunburn and long-term skin damage if precautions aren't taken. By staying informed about daily UV fluctuations — which peak at a moderate level of 3 around midday — you can enjoy the outdoors safely while prioritizing your skin health. Awareness of UV levels empowers you to make informed decisions about sun protection, ensuring that your time in the sun remains enjoyable and safe.
During the day, the UV Index showcases a gradual rise as the sun ascends, peaking at 3 between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Early morning hours, specifically at 07:00 AM and 08:00 AM, maintain a gentle level of 1, making it relatively safe to be outdoors without sun protection. As you step out around 9:00 AM, the index nudges to 2, indicating a slight increase in UV exposure. From 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, it reaches its highest point, suggesting that sun safety measures, such as sunscreen or protective clothing, become essential. By 2:00 PM, a decrease begins, returning to 1 by 15:00 PM, and fading further to 0 after 5:00 PM, marking a decline in UV intensity as the day winds down. Overall, early risers will enjoy a low UV risk, while midday sun seekers should take precautions to stay safe!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 13:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 14:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 15:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 16:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index shows significant seasonal variation, with particularly high levels during the winter and early spring months. January, February, and March are marked as high-risk months, each with an extreme UV Index of 14-15, necessitating a quick burn time of only 10 minutes. As spring progresses into April (UV Index 8, burn time 15 min) and fall later in the year (September and October, both at UV Index 8-10, burn time 15 min), exposure remains risky but slightly more manageable. During the summer months May through August, the UV Index decreases to moderate levels (UV Index 5-6, burn time 30 min), making sun safety precautions still important but less urgent. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take protective measures year-round, especially during the extreme months by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade to minimize the risk of sunburn.
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 |
| Balaklava | 14 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 15 |
| 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 |