Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Happy Valley, Australia, is essential for maintaining optimal skin health and preventing sunburn. With UV levels peaking at a moderate 3 during midday hours, it's crucial to stay informed about your sun exposure. Happy Valley's Csb climate offers a unique blend of mild summers and winters, yet the risk of harmful UV radiation persists, even on seemingly overcast days. By gauging the UV Index, you can take necessary precautions, ensuring you're protected while enjoying the beautiful outdoors. Stay safe and enjoy the sunshine wisely!
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 exhibits significant seasonal variation, with elevated levels primarily from November to March, when it frequently reaches the extreme category (UV Index 12-15) and a rapid burn time of just 10 minutes. The high-risk months are notably January, February, and December, all of which require vigilant sun protection. As the year progresses into April, the index drops to 8, indicating a very high exposure level; here, a burn time increases to 15 minutes. In May, June, July, and August, the UV Index settles into the moderate range (3-5), allowing for a safer exposure of approximately 30 minutes. However, caution is still advised, particularly in September and October, where the index rises again to high and very high levels respectively. Visitors and residents should prioritize sun safety measures throughout the year, especially during the extreme UV periods, by wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen, and seeking shade.
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 |
| Happy Valley | 14 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 15 |
| 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 |