Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Khakhea, Botswana, staying aware of the UV Index is crucial for ensuring your skin health and preventing sunburn. Understanding UV levels helps residents and visitors take necessary precautions against harmful exposure, especially given Khakhea’s semi-arid climate, where high UV radiation typically peaks around noon with indices reaching up to 6. With the sun's intensity rising steadily from early morning hours, being informed can protect you from both immediate discomfort and long-term skin damage, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful outdoor environment safely.
The UV Index throughout the day tells a compelling story of sun exposure. Starting at a cool 0 at 07:00, the intensity slowly increases, reaching 1 by 08:00 and progressing to 2 at 09:00. The sun moves higher in the sky, and by 10:00, the index climbs to 4, peaking at 6 between 12:00 and 13:00—a clear indication to wear sunscreen and seek shade. After 13:00, the index begins its gentle descent, dropping to 5 at 14:00 and further down to 3 by 15:00. The day's UV activity wanes, going to 2 at 16:00 and back to 1 by 17:00, before returning to a safe 0 from 18:00 onward. Make sure to enjoy the sun thoughtfully during its peak hours!
| 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 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 13:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 14:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 3 | 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 |
Throughout the year, the UV Index exhibits significant seasonal variations, with the highest levels observed during the winter months. Notably, January and December have extreme UV Index values of 16, requiring only 10 minutes of exposure for sunburn to occur. February to April also maintain an extreme level, with indices of 15 to 13, while March sees a slight decrease to 13, though still remaining critical. The high-risk months for UV exposure extend from September to November, all categorized as extreme, with burn times of just 10 minutes. However, as summer approaches, UV levels reduce slightly, peaking at very high values of 8 in May and 9 in August, allowing for longer safe exposure times—15 minutes. Residents and visitors should take proactive measures against UV exposure year-round, particularly during the extreme months, by wearing protective clothing, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, and seeking shade whenever possible to avoid harmful effects of the sun.
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 |
| Khakhea | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 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 |