Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Monash, Australia, being aware of the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. Understanding UV levels can significantly reduce the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage, ensuring your outdoor activities remain enjoyable and safe. Monash, characterized by a BSk climate, experiences varying UV exposure throughout the day, with midday levels reaching up to 3 on the UV Index scale. Staying informed about these levels can help you take appropriate precautions and enjoy the sunny Australian outdoors responsibly.
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 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 |
| Monash | 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 |