Last updated: May 3, 2025
In Goolwa, Australia, being aware of the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Understanding UV levels helps you take essential precautions against sunburn and long-term skin damage, ensuring your outdoor enjoyment doesn't come at a price. With a Csb climate characterized by mild wet winters and warm dry summers, Goolwa residents and visitors face unique UV exposure risks, particularly during peak hours. The UV Index peaks at 5 around midday, underscoring the importance of sun safety practices to safeguard your skin health while enjoying the sun-filled days by the coast.
The UV Index throughout the day presents an engaging narrative of sun exposure. Starting at a low 1 at 07:00 and 08:00, the index steadily rises to a moderate 3 by 09:00. It reaches its peak between 11:00 and 12:00, hitting 5, signaling the best time for sun protection. As the afternoon progresses, the intensity tapers off, with values falling back to 4 at 13:00 and descending to a mere 1 by 15:00. The sun's influence diminishes significantly thereafter, dropping to 0 by 17:00, where it remains until dusk. For sun seekers, the window for safe outdoor activities appears most favorable in late morning to early afternoon!
| 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 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 13:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 14:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 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 |
Throughout the year, UV index levels exhibit significant fluctuations, reflecting seasonal changes in sun exposure. January to March mark the high-risk months, with extreme UV indices of 14 to 11 and a minimal burn time of just 10 minutes. April sees a decrease to a very high level with an index of 8 and a burn time of 15 minutes. Transitioning into the summer months from May to July, the UV index drops to a moderate range of 5 to 3, allowing for longer burn times of 30 minutes. This trend continues into August but shifts to high in September with an index of 7. As the year closes, October to December return to extreme levels of 10 to 14 and shortened burn times once again at 10 to 15 minutes. Residents and visitors should stay vigilant during high-risk months and take necessary sun protection measures, such as using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade, especially from November to March.
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 |
| Goolwa | 14 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 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 |