Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Kununurra, Australia, understanding the UV Index is essential for protecting your skin against the sun's harmful rays. With daily UV levels soaring, particularly during the peak hours around midday when they can reach a maximum of 10, knowing when to seek shade or apply sunscreen is crucial for preventing sunburn and maintaining skin health. Given Kununurra's hot semi-arid climate, residents and visitors alike face significant UV exposure risks, making awareness of these levels vital to enjoy the beautiful outdoors safely. Stay informed, stay protected, and make the most of your time in this stunning region!
As the sun rises, the UV Index starts off at a gentle 1 at 07:00, making it a safe time to enjoy outdoor activities. However, as the morning progresses, the index climbs sharply, reaching 3 by 08:00 and hitting 6 by 09:00. The peak exposure occurs from 11:00 to 12:00, where it reaches its maximum of 10, indicating a high risk for harm from unprotected sun exposure. By the afternoon, a gradual decline begins: 8 at 13:00, followed by 5 at 14:00, before tapering off to 3 at 15:00. As the day winds down, UV levels decrease to 1 by 16:00 and drop to 0 after 18:00, making late evening a soothing time to relax outdoors without sun concerns. Always remember to protect your skin during those peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 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 exhibit significant seasonal variation, peaking during the winter months with an extreme exposure category of 16 in January, February, November, and December, indicating a burn time of just 10 minutes. The spring months see a slight decrease, with the UV Index dropping to 15 in March and 13 in April, remaining at an extreme level while still requiring caution. As we move into summer, the levels transition to very high in May and June, with UV Index values around 10 to 8 and burn times extending to 15 minutes. Notably, August and September again reach extreme exposure, with values climbing back to 11 and 14 respectively, before tapering off to 15 in October. Given these data, it is essential for visitors and residents to remain vigilant and take protective measures against UV exposure, especially during the high-risk months of January through April and August through November, where burn times are particularly brief, making sunscreen and protective clothing critical.
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 |
| 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 |
| Kununurra | 16 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 |