Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Mouanko, Cameroon, understanding the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and maintaining overall health. With the sun’s intensity peaking mid-day, it’s essential to know when to seek shade or apply sunscreen to prevent painful sunburns and long-term skin damage. The tropical climate of Mouanko brings consistently high UV exposure, especially between 10 AM and 1 PM, where levels can soar to 11—indicating a dangerous risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Staying informed about these UV levels not only safeguards your skin but also enhances your enjoyment of the vibrant outdoors.
The UV Index data reveals a dramatic progression of sun exposure throughout the day. Starting at a low of 1 at 07:00, the index begins to climb, hitting 2 by 08:00 and escalating sharply to 4 by 09:00. By 10:00, it soars to 7, reaching a peak of 11 at noon, the point at which sun protection becomes essential. After noon, the UV Index starts to decline gradually, dropping to 10 at 13:00, then 9 at 14:00, and continuing down to 6 by 15:00. As the evening approaches, the index falls further, winding down to 3 at 16:00 and returning to a safe 1 by 17:00 before settling to 0 by 19:00. This pattern highlights the importance of mindful sun exposure during peak hours, especially between 10:00 and 14:00.
Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
---|---|---|---|
07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
09:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
10:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
11:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
15:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
16:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index exhibits notable seasonal changes, with the highest levels occurring from February to April, reaching a peak of 14 in April. The high-risk months for UV exposure are identified as February through November, where the index remains in the extreme category for most months, indicating a burn time of just 10 minutes. It is crucial for both visitors and residents to take precautions during these months, such as wearing protective clothing, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with high SPF, and seeking shade during peak sun hours to reduce the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage. In contrast, January and December present slightly lower risks with a very high index of 10, allowing for a slightly longer burn time of 15 minutes; however, caution is still advised.
UV Risk Categories
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Douala UVI | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 |
Mouanko | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 |
Kousseri UVI | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
Garoua UVI | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 10 |
Yaounde UVI | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 |
Bamenda UVI | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 |