Last updated: July 2, 2025
Awareness of the UV Index is crucial for residents of the City of Cockburn, Australia. Understanding the UV levels daily can significantly aid in preventing sunburn and maintaining optimal skin health, especially during the hotter months when exposure is highest. With a Mediterranean climate characterized by long, sunny summers, the city faces unique risks related to UV radiation. You can see from the daily UV Index readings that from late morning to early afternoon, levels can reach 4, indicating a moderate risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Stay informed and protect your skin!
The UV Index throughout the day presents a notable peak from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, where it reaches a maximum of 4, indicating a moderate level of UV radiation. Starting off the morning at 7:00 AM with a UV Index of 0, it gradually rises to 1 by 8:00 AM, and hits 2 by 9:00 AM. As the sun climbs higher, the intensity increases, peaking at 4 by 12:00 PM and remaining steady until 1:00 PM. After this peak, the UV levels begin to decline, dropping back to 3 at 2:00 PM, then gradually tapering off to 1 by 4:00 PM and returning to 0 by 6:00 PM. It's a day that serves as a reminder to stay protected during midday hours when UV exposure is at its highest.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 13:00 | 4 | 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 experiences significant seasonal fluctuations, with the highest risk months being January, February, March, October, November, and December, where the index reaches extreme levels (up to 14) and the burn time is as short as 10 minutes. As spring arrives, the index decreases to very high levels in April (9) and high in May (6), extending burn times to 15 and 25 minutes respectively. The summer months see a moderate UV index (4) in June and July, allowing for longer exposure times of 30 minutes, before rising again in August and September to high (6) and very high (8) categories with shorter burn times. Visitors and residents should take precautionary measures during the extreme months by wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen regularly, and limiting sun exposure, especially during peak hours, to ensure their safety from harmful UV rays.
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 |
| City of Cockburn | 14 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 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 |