Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Machaneng, Botswana, where the sun shines brightly year-round. With a BSh climate, the potential for sunburn and skin damage increases significantly, especially during peak hours when the UV levels can reach up to 7. Awareness of UV index levels helps individuals take proactive steps to protect their skin health, reducing the risk of harmful effects such as sunburn. As the intensity of solar radiation varies throughout the day, knowing when to seek shade or apply sunscreen can make all the difference in enjoying the beautiful outdoors safely.
The UV Index data for the day reveals a dynamic pattern of sun exposure. Starting off at a low level, both 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM maintain a mere index of 1, indicating minimal UV radiation. As the sun climbs higher, 9:00 AM sees the index rise to 3, gradually peaking at 12:00 PM with an intense 7, suggesting it's time for sun protection. The afternoon hours show a slight decline, with 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM still holding strong at 6 and 5 respectively. As the day winds down, the index drops sharply after 3:00 PM, falling back to a 1 by 4:00 PM and eventually reaching 0 by 6:00 PM, marking a safe return from the sun's harsh rays. It's a reminder of the importance of sun safety during those midday hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 13:00 | 6 | high | 25 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 |
The UV Index fluctuates significantly throughout the year, peaking during the winter months with an extreme exposure category from January to April, when the burn time is as low as 10 minutes. The high-risk months for UV exposure are January, February, March, April, September, October, November, and December, where the UV Index consistently exceeds 11. As the seasons change, UV levels drop in the summer months of June and July, reaching a high exposure category with burn times extending to 25 minutes. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautionary measures, especially in the high and extreme months, by wearing adequate sun protection, seeking shade, and limiting sun exposure during peak hours to reduce the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaborone UVI | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 16 |
| Machaneng | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| Molepolole UVI | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 16 |
| Selebi-Phikwe UVI | 16 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 15 |
| Francistown UVI | 17 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 15 |
| Maun UVI | 16 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 |