Last updated: August 1, 2025
In Ambodifotatra, Madagascar, awareness of the UV Index is crucial for everyone enjoying the beautiful sun-soaked days. Understanding UV levels not only helps in preventing sunburn but also plays a vital role in maintaining long-term skin health. With a typical tropical climate characterized by high UV exposure, particularly around midday when the index peaks at 9, residents and visitors must stay informed to protect themselves effectively. From early morning to late afternoon, being mindful of the UV Index empowers you to enjoy the outdoors safely while minimizing skin damage risks.
As the day unfolds, the UV Index experiences a notable rise, peaking at 9 during the noon hour. Starting from a gentle 1 at 7:00 AM, it escalates steadily, reaching 7 by 10:00 AM and 8 by 11:00 AM. The intensity continues to surge, hitting its zenith of 9 at 12:00 PM, before gradually tapering off in the afternoon. By 3:00 PM, it dips to 3, and as the sun begins to set, the index drops to a low 0 by 7:00 PM, signifying a swift decline in UV radiation. This pattern underscores the importance of sun safety during the peak hours of 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, when UV exposure is at its highest. Stay protected and enjoy the sun wisely!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index exhibits significant seasonal changes throughout the year, with the highest values occurring in the early months. From January to April, the index remains in the extreme category, peaking at a staggering 17 in January and gradually decreasing to 12 by April, where the burn time remains critically short at just 10 minutes. May to July shows somewhat lower values but still falls within the very high range, with a maximum UV Index of 10 in May and sustaining solid values until July, allowing for a burn time of 15 minutes. As summer transitions to fall, August to November returns to extreme levels, particularly in August with an index of 11 and burn times decreasing back to 10 minutes. Visitors and residents should exercise extreme caution from January through April and during the late summer and fall months, ensuring adequate sun protection and minimizing exposure during peak sun hours, ideally within the short burn times indicated for each month.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toamasina UVI | 16 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 15 |
| Fianarantsoa UVI | 17 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 16 |
| Ambodifotatra | 17 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 |
| Mahajanga UVI | 16 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 15 |
| Antananarivo UVI | 17 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 16 |
| Antsirabe UVI | 17 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 16 |