Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Mopipi, Botswana, is crucial for protecting your skin and maintaining overall health. With the region's semi-arid climate, residents and visitors are often exposed to heightened levels of ultraviolet radiation, especially during the peak hours of 10 AM to 2 PM when the UV Index can soar to 8. Awareness of these UV levels is key in preventing sunburn and long-term skin damage. By keeping an eye on the UV Index, you can make informed decisions to stay safe under the sun while enjoying all that Mopipi has to offer.
During the day, the UV Index exhibits a distinct peak at 12:00 PM, reaching a maximum of 8, indicating a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. The index progressively rises from 1 at 07:00 AM to 6 by 11:00 AM, making early hours relatively safe for outdoor activities. However, as the sun climbs, it’s vital to take precautions, especially between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, when the index hits 4 to 8. Following this peak, the index begins to decline, dropping to 4 at 3:00 PM and further decreasing to 0 by 6:00 PM, facilitating a safer environment for evening outings. Stay protected during the peak hours to enjoy the sun responsibly!
| 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 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 14:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index exhibits significant seasonal variations, with the highest levels recorded from January to March (UV Index 16), indicating an extreme risk of sun exposure and a rapid burn time of just 10 minutes. April sees a slightly lower but still extreme index of 12, while May reduces to a very high index of 9, allowing for 15 minutes of exposure without protection. From June to July, the UV levels drop slightly to 7, categorized as high, permitting up to 25 minutes of sun exposure. As summer ends, August presents a very high UV Index of 10 and a burn time of 15 minutes, followed by a return to extreme levels in September (UV Index 12) and October (UV Index 13) with a burn time of 10 minutes. November and December maintain an extreme classification with an index of 15, again focusing attention on a 10-minute exposure limit. Residents and visitors are advised to take extra precautions during high-risk months, especially from January to April and again in September to November, by using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade to minimize the risk of 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 |
| 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 |
| Mopipi | 16 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 |
| Maun UVI | 16 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 |