Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Zomba, Malawi, is crucial as it plays a vital role in protecting your skin and overall health from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Awareness of UV levels helps prevent sunburn and long-term skin issues, enabling residents and visitors to enjoy outdoor activities safely. With Zomba's Aw climate, which features a mix of sunny days and elevated UV exposure, it's essential to remain vigilant, especially during peak hours when the UV Index can soar to 9 around midday. By monitoring these levels, you can take proactive steps to safeguard your skin while embracing the vibrant beauty of this remarkable region.
The UV Index for the day shows a striking increase in intensity, peaking between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM with a high of 9. Early morning hours are relatively mild, starting at 1 at 7:00 AM and gently rising to 2 by 8:00 AM. As the sun climbs higher, the index sharply escalates to 4 by 9:00 AM and reaches its pinnacle at 10:00 AM with 7. After its peak, the index begins to decline, dropping to 5 by 2:00 PM and further cooling off to 3 at 3:00 PM. By late afternoon, the values diminish significantly as dusk approaches, with readings at 1 by 4:00 PM and eventually 0 by 6:00 PM. This daily pattern highlights the importance of sun safety, especially during those peak hours when UV exposure is at its highest.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 4 | 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 | 7 | high | 25 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 exhibit significant seasonal variation, with high-risk months occurring predominantly from January to April, where the index remains at extreme levels (17-13) and fans a consistent burn time of only 10 minutes. As the season transitions into late spring and summer, the UV Index slightly decreases to very high (10-9) in May to July, extending safe exposure time to 15 minutes. However, the potential for sunburn remains considerable. In late summer and fall, the UV Index returns to extreme levels in August, followed by a gradual decline towards winter, with abnormally high readings continuing into November. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take protective measures, such as wearing UV-blocking clothing, applying sunscreen, and limiting sun exposure, especially during the peak months of January through April and August. Maintaining vigilance against UV exposure is essential year-round to ensure skin safety.
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 | 17 | 17 | 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 |