Last updated: August 1, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents of Kingston, Australia, where the sun’s intensity can significantly impact skin health. With a climate classified as BSk, Kingston experiences varying UV levels throughout the day, peaking at a 4 between 11 AM and 12 PM. Awareness of these fluctuations is essential to prevent sunburn and longer-term damage; even a UV index of 2 or above signifies a risk of harm to unprotected skin. Familiarizing yourself with local UV levels enables you to make informed choices about sun protection, ensuring a healthier and safer outdoor experience in Kingston’s sunny environment.
The daily UV Index begins its ascent gently at 07:00, measuring a low 1, and maintains this soft level until 09:00. As the sun climbs higher, the index peaks at 4 between 11:00 and 12:00, signaling a worthwhile moment for sun protection. The afternoon sees a slight dip, with readings falling to 3 at 13:00 and then gradually decreasing to 2 by 14:00. As the sun begins to set, the index retreats further, dipping to a modest 1 from 15:00 to 16:00, and finally dropping to 0 by 17:00, indicating safe conditions for outdoor activities as the day winds down. Remember to stay sun-safe during peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | 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 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 14:00 | 3 | 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 exhibits significant seasonal fluctuations, with the highest levels occurring from January to March and again in October to December, classified as extreme exposure. Particularly, January and December see indices of 14 and 15, respectively, indicating a burn time of just 10 minutes. April and September also present very high levels at 8, with burn times of 15 minutes. From May to August, the UV Index drops to a moderate range of 3 to 5, allowing for longer exposure times of up to 30 minutes. Visitors and residents should exercise caution and protect their skin, especially during the high-risk months of January to March and October to November, ensuring the use of sunscreen and protective clothing during peak UV periods.
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 |
| Kingston | 14 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 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 |