Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Vangaindrano, Madagascar is crucial for safeguarding your skin and preventing sunburn. With a tropical climate that brings strong sunlight for much of the year, awareness of UV levels can help residents and visitors alike make informed decisions about sun exposure. The UV Index can peak as high as 7 around midday, indicating a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. By knowing the UV Index, you can take proactive measures to maintain skin health, ensuring that your time spent enjoying Vangaindrano's stunning landscapes doesn’t come at a cost to your well-being.
The UV Index reveals an early morning reprieve, starting at a gentle 1 at 7:00 AM and remaining low through 9:00 AM. However, as the sun climbs, intensity increases sharply, peaking at a 7 around noon, signaling the most potent UV exposure of the day. The early afternoon maintains a respectable UV level of 6 at 1:00 PM before gradually tapering off. By mid-afternoon, it drops to 4, then swiftly declines to 1 by 4:00 PM, and finally settles at 0 by 6:00 PM, marking the day's end for UV concern. This hourly trend underscores the importance of sun safety during peak hours, especially between 10 AM and 2 PM.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 13:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 14:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 2 | low | 45 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 experiences significant fluctuations throughout the year, with the highest levels of exposure occurring in January, February, and March, where the index reaches 15 and is classified as extreme, necessitating caution as burn time is limited to just 10 minutes. The summer months, particularly April through August, show a gradual decline in UV intensity, though still remain in the very high category for much of this period, with April and May at 10 and 8 respectively. The fall months of September and October see a return to higher indices, with September and October recording 10 and 11, categorized as very high and extreme. Notably, November and December also revert to extreme categories, indicating that vigilance is needed all year round. Given this data, it’s essential for both visitors and residents to be mindful of sun exposure during high-risk months—primarily from January to March and October to December—to ensure protective measures such as sunscreen, hats, and appropriate clothing are employed, especially during peak midday hours.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vangaindrano | 15 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 |
| 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 |
| 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 |