Last updated: August 1, 2025
In Kambove, Democratic Republic of the Congo, understanding the UV Index is crucial for maintaining skin health and preventing sunburns. With a tropical climate characterized by significant sun exposure, awareness of daily UV levels helps residents and visitors protect themselves from harmful ultraviolet rays. The UV Index reaches its peak at 12:00, hitting a spicy 10, indicating a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Knowing these levels empowers the community to engage in sun safety practices, ensuring a healthier and more enjoyable outdoor experience under the African sun.
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins its gradual ascent, starting at a mild 1 at 7:00 AM. By 9:00 AM, it escalates to 4, indicating a moderate level of UV exposure. The sun reaches its peak intensity around 12:00 PM, where the index hits a striking 10, signaling a high risk for harm from unprotected sun exposure. Fortunately, this intensity diminishes in the afternoon; by 3:00 PM, it drops to 5, and by 6:00 PM, it plummets to 0. As the day winds down, it's clear that midday is when the sun's rays are most perilous, urging sun safety precautions during those peak hours.
| 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 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, there are notable fluctuations in the UV Index, with the highest levels observed from January to March, consistently rated at 16 and categorized as extreme, indicating a rapid burn time of only 10 minutes. April experiences a slight decrease to 14, while May dips to 12; however, both months still fall under the extreme exposure category. The summer months of June and July bring a shift to a very high UV Index of 10, allowing for a slightly longer burn time of 15 minutes. As we move into late summer and fall, the UV Index returns to extreme levels in August (11), September (12), October (13), and November (15), with burn times of 10 minutes across these months. December sees another return to extreme at 16. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take caution, particularly during the high-risk months from January to November, by wearing protective clothing, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, and limiting sun exposure during peak hours to reduce the risk of skin damage.
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 |
| 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 |
| Kambove | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |