Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Tumby Bay, Australia, being aware of the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and overall health. The UV Index provides essential information about sun exposure levels that can lead to sunburn and long-term skin damage. Understanding these levels is key to enjoying the outdoors safely, especially in Tumby Bay, where the climate is characterized by mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. With UV levels peaking at 3 during midday hours, even brief sun exposure can pose a risk, making it vital to take precautions to safeguard your skin while enjoying the stunning coastal environment.
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 seasonal UV changes indicate significant variations throughout the year, with the highest levels occurring in the winter months of December (UV Index 15) and January (UV Index 14), categorized as extreme with a burn time of just 10 minutes. February and March also fall into the extreme category, emphasizing the need for caution during these months. As spring progresses, the UV Index drops slightly, reaching a very high level in April (UV Index 8) and then moderating in the summer months, with May to August showing moderate levels (UV Index 5 and 4), allowing for 30 minutes of exposure before burning occurs. However, the UV Index increases again in September (UV Index 8) and October (UV Index 10), both classified as very high with a burn time of 15 minutes. November returns to an extreme category (UV Index 12), culminating in another peak before winter. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take protective measures, especially from November through March, and during April and September, when UV exposure can be particularly harmful. It's essential to wear sunscreen, protective clothing, and sunglasses to safeguard against harmful UV radiation.
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 |
| Tumby Bay | 14 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 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 |