Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Liwonde, Malawi is crucial for safeguarding your skin and overall health. With the region's Aw climate, which brings warm temperatures year-round, awareness of UV levels helps prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage. During peak hours, particularly from 11 AM to 1 PM, the UV Index can soar to a high of 9, signaling significant risk for unprotected skin. By staying informed about daily UV fluctuations, you can enjoy the vibrant Malawian sun while prioritizing your health and well-being.
The UV Index for today showcases a striking peak between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM, where it reaches a high of 9, indicating a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. As the day progresses, the index begins to taper off, transitioning to a 5 at 2:00 PM and then dropping further to 3 by 3:00 PM. The late afternoon brings a noticeable decline, finishing off with 1 at 4:00 PM and fading to 0 after 6:00 PM. If you're planning outdoor activities, the optimal time to soak up the sun safely is definitely before noon! Don’t forget your sunscreen during those peak hours!
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 | 7 | high | 25 min |
11:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
12:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
13:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
14:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 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 |
Throughout the year, UV Index levels fluctuate significantly, with extremely high levels observed from January to April and again in August, November, and December. The high-risk months for UV exposure occur primarily in the winter and early spring (January to April) and late fall (November and December), where the UV Index remains at its peak of 16-17, demanding only 10 minutes of burn time. During the late spring and summer months (May to July), the index drops slightly to 9-10, allowing for longer exposure times of 15 minutes but still categorized as very high. Visitors and residents should take precautions during these high UV months by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade to minimize skin damage and other UV-related health issues.
UV Risk Categories
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blantyre UVI | 17 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 |
Zomba UVI | 17 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 |
Liwonde | 17 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 |
Lilongwe UVI | 17 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 |
Mzuzu UVI | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 16 |
Kasungu UVI | 16 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 |