Last updated: September 1, 2025
In Andapa, Madagascar, being aware of the UV Index is essential for ensuring skin health and preventing sunburn, especially given the region's tropical climate. Understanding UV levels is vital as they can vary significantly throughout the day; for instance, between 10 AM and 2 PM, the UV Index peaks at a high of 10, indicating a very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. With typical daily averages showing fluctuating sun exposure, residents and visitors must take precautions to protect their skin. By keeping an eye on the UV Index, you can enjoy the beautiful Andapa sun safely while safeguarding your skin for the long run.
As the day begins, the UV Index starts to rise gradually, peaking at 10 around noon, indicating a high level of solar radiation. From 07:00 to 09:00, it remains low, hovering between 1 and 5. The intensity surges dramatically at 10:00, reaching 8, and continues to climb until it hits its maximum at 12:00. After this peak, there's a steady decline in UV levels, dropping to 6 by 14:00, and further down to 3 by 15:00. By evening, the index falls to 1 and eventually dips to 0 after 18:00, signaling the end of intense sun exposure. Be sure to take precautions during peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 10:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 11:00 | 14 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 8 | very high | 15 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 |
Throughout the year, UV Index levels fluctuate significantly, with the highest readings recorded during the winter months of January through March, where the index reaches a striking 17, indicating an extreme exposure category and a rapid burn time of just 10 minutes. As the seasons transition into late spring and summer, while levels slightly decrease in June and July to 9 and 10 respectively (still within the very high category), they remain a concern with values of 11 to 12 from May to August and 14 in September through November. October and November also retain a notable extreme risk at 14. Consequently, visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautions during these high-risk months—particularly from January to April and again in August and September—by wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen regularly, and seeking shade whenever possible to mitigate the risk of harmful UV exposure.
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 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 |
| Andapa | 17 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 |