Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for the residents of Banraeaba Village, Kiribati, where the sun's rays can be particularly intense due to its tropical climate. Being aware of UV levels not only helps in preventing painful sunburns but also plays a vital role in maintaining long-term skin health. Between midday hours, the UV Index can peak at 12, indicating an exceedingly high risk of harm from unprotected exposure. With outdoor activities being a part of daily life in Banraeaba, knowing when to seek shade or use sunscreen is essential to protect against the area's typical UV exposure risks.
The UV Index for today displays a notable increase, reaching its peak at 12 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM, signaling a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. As the day begins, the index starts at a mild 1 at 7:00 AM, gradually climbing to 4 by 9:00 AM. A sharp rise occurs by 10:00 AM, hitting 7, before soaring to an intense 10 at 11:00 AM. After the zenith from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, the index gradually declines, dipping to 7 by 3:00 PM, then back down to 4 at 4:00 PM, before closing the day at 0 by 7:00 PM. With such elevated UV levels during the midday hours, it’s crucial to take precautions—seek shade, wear protective clothing, and apply sunscreen to ensure safety while enjoying the outdoors!
| 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 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index exhibits extreme exposure levels throughout the year, with the highest values recorded from January to April, consistently reaching 16. This period, along with February and March, represents the highest risk months for sunburn, where even a brief exposure of just 10 minutes can lead to skin damage. May sees a slight decrease to 14, while June and July maintain a high index of 12 and August rises again to 13. Thereafter, UV levels remain relatively steady, declining slightly to 14 in September and October and finishing the year at 12 in December. Residents and visitors are strongly advised to take protective measures, such as wearing sunscreen, hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses, especially during these high-risk months to minimize exposure to harmful UV radiation.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banraeaba Village | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
| Bairiki Village UVI | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
| Teaoraereke Village UVI | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
| Bikenibeu Village UVI | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
| Betio Village UVI | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
| Tarawa UVI | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 |