Last updated: May 3, 2025
In Mbandaka, Democratic Republic of the Congo, awareness of the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin against the sun's harmful rays. Understanding the daily UV levels not only helps in preventing sunburn but also plays a vital role in maintaining long-term skin health. With Mbandaka's tropical climate often exposing residents to high UV levels—especially peaking between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, where values reach a staggering 13—it's important to take proactive measures. Stay informed, protect yourself, and enjoy the vibrant sun safely!
Starting at 7:00 AM, the UV Index is a mild 1, gradually rising as the sun climbs in the sky. By 8:00 AM, it reaches 4, making it a good time for sun protection. The intensity peaks sharply at 10:00 AM with a maximum index of 10, continuing to hold strong at 13 during the midday hours of 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM. This is the critical window when sun exposure can cause harm, so seek shade or wear protective gear if you're outside! As the afternoon progresses, the index begins to dip: it drops to 11 at 1:00 PM, then to 8 by 2:00 PM, before further declining to 4 at 3:00 PM. By 4:00 PM, it decreases to 2, prompting a cautious approach to the sun. Finally, as the day winds down, the index falls to 1 by 5:00 PM, and eventually drops to 0 after 6:00 PM, signaling that it's safe to enjoy the evening outdoors without worries about UV exposure.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 8 | very high | 15 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 |
Throughout the year, UV levels exhibit significant seasonal variations, with the highest risks occurring primarily in the first half of the year. January through May show extreme UV indices, peaking at 14 in March and April, where a mere 10 minutes of unprotected exposure can lead to burns. As the year progresses, June and July experience a decrease to very high UV levels (indices of 10 and 9, respectively), allowing for slightly longer safe exposure times of 15 minutes. However, August sees a return to extreme indices (11), followed by a gradual decline in September and October with extreme levels resuming at 12 and 13. Moving into the cooler months of November and December, UV levels remain notably high at 12 and 11, emphasizing the need for vigilant sun protection even in winter. Visitors and residents are strongly encouraged to take precautions in high-risk months (especially from January to May) by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade to minimize the risk of UV-related harms.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinshasa UVI | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 |
| Masina UVI | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Mbandaka | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
| Kisangani UVI | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
| Mbuji-Mayi UVI | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
| Lubumbashi UVI | 16 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 16 |