Last updated: August 1, 2025
In Gbadolite, located in the heart of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, awareness of the UV Index is vital for protecting your skin and overall health. Understanding UV levels helps residents and visitors alike prevent sunburn and reduce the risk of long-term skin damage. With a tropical savanna climate (Aw), Gbadolite experiences significant UV exposure, particularly from 10 AM to 2 PM, when the UV Index peaks at a dangerous level of 11. By staying informed and taking necessary precautions during these hours, you can enjoy the sunny days while keeping your skin safe and healthy.
The UV Index today starts off modestly at 1 by 07:00, but as the sun rises higher, it peaks dramatically at 11 between 11:00 and 12:00, indicating a period of high risk for harm from unprotected sun exposure. At 09:00, it reaches 6, prompting a bit more caution, while 10:00 brings a significant jump to 9. As the afternoon unfolds, the index begins to decline, dropping to 4 by 15:00 and tapering off to 1 by 17:00. After 18:00, the UV Index falls to 0, ensuring that later in the day, the risk of UV exposure diminishes completely. Stay protected during those peak hours!
Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
---|---|---|---|
07:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
08:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
09:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
10:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
11:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
12:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
14:00 | 7 | high | 25 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 |
The UV Index remains extremely high throughout the year, with values peaking at 14 in April and generally hovering between 11 and 13 from January to May and again in August and September. The high-risk months for sun exposure are clearly from March to May, when the Index reaches its zenith, signaling a burn time of just 10 minutes. Even as the year progresses into the latter months, the UV Index remains concerningly elevated, particularly in October and November. Therefore, it is advisable for both residents and visitors to take extra precautions during these months: wear protective clothing, apply sunscreen regularly, and seek shade, especially around midday when UV radiation is most intense. In December, while the index drops to 10, it’s still categorized as very high, suggesting that sun safety measures should remain a priority year-round.
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 |
Gbadolite | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 |
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 |