Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents of Portland, Australia, where the coastal climate often brings varying sun exposure throughout the day. With UV levels peaking at 3 during midday hours, being aware of these fluctuations can significantly aid in sunburn prevention and overall skin health. By tracking the UV Index, you can take proactive steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from harmful rays, ensuring you enjoy the sunny Australian lifestyle safely. With the unique mix of the Csb climate zone, the risks of UV exposure are especially relevant, making awareness an essential part of your daily routine.
At 07:00, the UV Index starts off at a comfortable 0, indicating safe outdoor conditions. As the sun rises, it gently climbs to 1 by 08:00 and remains steady until 09:00. By 10:00, a slight increase to 2 suggests it’s time to put on some sunscreen, especially as it peaks at 3 between 12:00 and 13:00. The afternoon sees a dip back to 2 from 14:00 to 15:00, before gradually lowering to 1 by 16:00. As the day winds down, the index returns to 0 around 18:00 and remains there until 19:00, offering a safe end to the day’s outdoor activities. Make sure to protect yourself during those midday hours when the sun is at its most intense!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 11:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 12:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 13:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 14:00 | 2 | low | 45 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 |
Throughout the year, UV index levels fluctuate significantly, indicating varying risks for sun exposure. The high-risk months of January, February, November, and December all feature excitingly extreme UV indexes, peaking at 14 in December and staying close with 13 in January. This translates to a burn time of just 10 minutes during these months, highlighting the need for protective measures. In March, the UV index remains very high at 10, allowing for a slightly longer burn time of 15 minutes, while April sees a drop to a high category of 7, extending burn time to 25 minutes. From May to July, the index falls into the moderate category, with burn times of 30 minutes, but it rises again in September and October, marking high and very high exposure risks respectively. Residents and visitors should take necessary precautions during high UV months—such as applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade—to safeguard against the harmful effects of UV radiation.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | 13 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 14 |
| 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 |
| 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 |