Last updated: May 3, 2025
In Coober Pedy, Australia, understanding the UV Index is critical for maintaining skin health and preventing sunburn. With its BWh climate, this unique outback town experiences intense sunlight, particularly during peak hours—where UV levels can soar to a high of 7 around noon. Recognizing these fluctuations in UV radiation empowers residents and visitors to take necessary precautions against the risks of overexposure, ensuring a safer and healthier experience in this sun-drenched landscape. Stay informed and protect your skin while enjoying the remarkable beauty of Coober Pedy!
The UV Index reveals an early morning reprieve, starting at a gentle 1 at 7:00 AM and remaining low through 9:00 AM. However, as the sun climbs, intensity increases sharply, peaking at a 7 around noon, signaling the most potent UV exposure of the day. The early afternoon maintains a respectable UV level of 6 at 1:00 PM before gradually tapering off. By mid-afternoon, it drops to 4, then swiftly declines to 1 by 4:00 PM, and finally settles at 0 by 6:00 PM, marking the day's end for UV concern. This hourly trend underscores the importance of sun safety during peak hours, especially between 10 AM and 2 PM.
| 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 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 13:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 14:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 2 | low | 45 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 |
The UV Index varies significantly throughout the year, peaking in the winter months and early spring. January, February, and March experience extreme levels with an index of 16, resulting in a burn time as short as 10 minutes. Notably, October and November also reach extreme levels, maintaining a 14 and 16 index respectively. April sees a shift to very high levels at 10, while May and August experience high levels at indices of 7. The summer months of June and July see a moderate UV Index of 5, allowing for longer safe exposure times of 30 minutes. September returns to very high levels with a 10 index. Residents and visitors are advised to exercise caution, especially from January to March and October to December, ensuring adequate sun protection during these high-risk months to prevent skin damage.
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 |
| Coober Pedy | 16 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |