Last updated: May 3, 2025
In Wum, Cameroon, being aware of the UV Index is essential for protecting your skin and overall health. With the region's climate, characterized by significant sunshine and varying UV exposure throughout the day, understanding UV levels can help you prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage. As the UV Index often peaks at 13 during midday, it’s crucial to take precautions, especially during the hot hours when your risk of overexposure is highest. By monitoring the UV Index, you can enjoy the outdoors safely while prioritizing your skin's health.
The UV Index throughout the day exhibits a striking pattern, starting off at a mild level of 1 at 07:00, gradually increasing to 2 by 08:00. As the sun climbs higher, the index surges to 5 at 09:00, and then hits a peak of 13 at 12:00. The sun is its strongest around 11:00 and 12:00, with values of 12 and 13 respectively, indicating a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. After this zenith, the index starts to taper off, dropping to 10 at 14:00, and further declining to 6 by 15:00. The afternoon brings relief, with levels dropping to 3 at 16:00 and settling at 1 by the evening hours after 17:00, culminating in a UV Index of 0 by 19:00. This clear trend underscores the importance of sun safety during the peak hours of the day.
Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
---|---|---|---|
07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
09:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
10:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
11:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
12:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
14:00 | 10 | 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 |
The UV Index exhibits extreme levels from January through October, peaking at 14 in April and remaining consistently high, predominantly fluctuating between 12 and 13 the rest of the months. High-risk months for UV exposure include March through August, where the burn time is a mere 10 minutes. Even as the year progresses into November and December, the UV Index remains significant, shifting to very high in December with a burn time of 15 minutes. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take protective measures year-round, such as wearing sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses, and seeking shade to minimize skin damage.
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 |
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 |
Wum | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 |
Bamenda UVI | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 |