Last updated: May 3, 2025
In Mahajanga, Madagascar, awareness of the UV Index is essential for safeguarding your skin and overall health. Understanding UV levels can significantly reduce your risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage, allowing you to enjoy the region's beautiful sunny days safely. With its tropical humid climate, Mahajanga boasts plenty of sunshine, especially from 10 AM to 2 PM, when UV Index levels can reach a maximum of 10, indicating a very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Being informed and taking protective measures will help you embrace the sun responsibly in this vibrant coastal city.
Throughout the day, the UV Index exhibits a distinct peak just before noon. Starting off at a mild 1 at 7:00 AM, it rises steadily, reaching 2 by 8:00 AM. By 9:00 AM, it jumps to 5, and then it surges to an impressive 10 at both 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM, indicating a high level of sun exposure risk. As the afternoon unfolds, the readings dip to 9 at 1:00 PM and subsequently decline further to 6 at 2:00 PM. By 3:00 PM, it drops to 3, and the day winds down with values of 1 at 4:00 and 5:00 PM, before fading to 0 by 6:00 PM and beyond. For optimal sun safety, keep to the shade as the sun peaks!
Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
---|---|---|---|
07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
09:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
10:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 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 shows a consistent pattern of extreme and very high exposure from January through April and resurges towards the end of the year. The high-risk months are marked by significantly elevated UV values, particularly from January to April, with a peak UV Index of 16, indicating extreme risk and a burn time of just 10 minutes; this level of risk returns in August through November. Visitors and residents are advised to take necessary precautions such as wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen with high SPF, and seeking shade, especially during midday hours when UV exposure is most intense. Remember, the potential harm from UV radiation remains high throughout the year, particularly in these critical months, so vigilance is essential to protect your skin health.
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 |
Mahajanga | 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 |