Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire is essential for safeguarding your skin health and preventing painful sunburns. With our tropical Aw climate, Abidjan experiences significant UV exposure, especially during midday when levels peak at a staggering 13. This highlights the crucial need for residents and visitors alike to stay informed about UV levels throughout the day, as effective prevention strategies can protect against long-term skin damage. By being aware of the UV Index, you can enjoy the vibrant sunshine while also prioritizing your skin’s well-being.
At 07:00 AM, the UV Index begins to rise modestly at 1, indicating relatively low sun exposure. As the morning progresses, it climbs to 2 by 08:00 AM, and then surges dramatically to 5 by 09:00 AM. The real intensity hits at 10:00 AM with a peak of 9, and by 11:00 AM, the sun is at its strongest with a maximum of 11. The UV Index continues its ascent, reaching a scorching 13 at 12:00 PM, before slightly tapering off to 12 by 01:00 PM. As the afternoon unfolds, the index drops steadily to 9 at 02:00 PM and further decreases to 6 by 03:00 PM. The sun’s power diminishes as the day winds down, falling to 3 at 04:00 PM and finally settling at 1 by 05:00 PM. As evening approaches, the UV level drops to 0 by 07:00 PM, signaling a safe time to enjoy the outdoors without worry.
| 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 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 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 |
As the seasons change, so do UV levels, significantly impacting both visitors and residents. The highest UV Index levels—ranging from 11 to 14—occur from February through April, marking these months as high-risk for sun exposure, with a critical burn time of just 10 minutes in most cases. May through October also presents extreme risk months, maintaining a persistent UV Index of 11 to 12, and the burn time remains alarmingly low at 10 minutes. By November and December, the UV Index slightly drops to 10 and 9, respectively, transitioning to a very high exposure category, but still necessitating caution as burn times decrease to 15 minutes. To safeguard against skin damage, it is advisable for everyone to take preventive measures, such as utilizing sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade, particularly during peak UV hours from 10 AM to 4 PM.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abobo UVI | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 9 |
| Abidjan | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 9 |
| San-Pedro UVI | 11 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 |
| Bouake UVI | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 10 |
| Daloa UVI | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 10 |