Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Mopipi, Botswana, where the BSh climate presents unique challenges in sun exposure. With peak UV levels reaching 9 around noon, awareness of these indices can make a significant difference in preventing sunburn and promoting long-term skin health. As the sun’s intensity varies throughout the day, knowing when the risks are highest allows you to enjoy the beautiful African landscape while protecting yourself from harmful UV radiation. Stay informed and keep your skin safe under the brilliant Botswana sun!
The UV Index for the day starts off low, with a maximum of 1 at 07:00 and 08:00, providing a gentle introduction to sunlight. As the morning progresses, it climbs gradually, peaking at 9 around 12:00, marking the sun's fierce midday intensity. The index remains high at 8 from 11:00 to 13:00, urging outdoor enthusiasts to seek shade and apply sunscreen. However, by the afternoon, the UV Index begins to taper off, declining to 4 at 15:00 and dropping further to 1 by 17:00, before finally hitting 0 in the evening. This fluctuation highlights the importance of being sun-smart, especially during those critical midday hours when UV exposure can be most damaging.
| 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 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 8 | very high | 15 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 |