Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Zomba, Malawi is crucial for everyone who enjoys the sun, as it plays a vital role in safeguarding your skin health. With UV levels reaching as high as 10 during peak hours, awareness of these levels can help prevent sunburn and reduce the risk of long-term skin damage. Known for its warm climate, Zomba presents unique UV exposure risks, making it essential to equip yourself with knowledge about the daily UV fluctuations. By tracking the UV Index, you can confidently enjoy the beautiful outdoors while protecting your skin from harmful effects.
As the sun rises, the UV Index starts off at a gentle 1 at 07:00, making it a safe time to enjoy outdoor activities. However, as the morning progresses, the index climbs sharply, reaching 3 by 08:00 and hitting 6 by 09:00. The peak exposure occurs from 11:00 to 12:00, where it reaches its maximum of 10, indicating a high risk for harm from unprotected sun exposure. By the afternoon, a gradual decline begins: 8 at 13:00, followed by 5 at 14:00, before tapering off to 3 at 15:00. As the day winds down, UV levels decrease to 1 by 16:00 and drop to 0 after 18:00, making late evening a soothing time to relax outdoors without sun concerns. Always remember to protect your skin during those peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 10 | 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 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 |