Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors in Mozambique, where the sun shines brightly throughout the year. With high UV levels peaking around midday, awareness is essential to prevent sunburn and protect skin health. The country’s tropical climate results in increased UV exposure, especially during summer months, making it vital to track daily UV levels. By understanding the UV Index, you can enjoy the beautiful Mozambican outdoors while taking the necessary precautions to keep your skin safe from harm.
Throughout the day, the UV Index reveals a notable peak from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, hitting a maximum of 8, indicating a high level of ultraviolet radiation. Early in the morning, at 07:00, the index starts low at 1, gradually increasing to 5 by 09:00. By 10:00, it escalates to 7, making the sun's rays more intense. After reaching its midday high, the UV levels begin to drop, falling to 6 by 1:00 PM, and tapering off to 4 at 2:00 PM. The afternoon offers some relief, with the index decreasing to 2 by 3:00 PM, and finally returning to a minimal 1 at 4:00 PM before sinking to 0 from 5:00 PM onward. It's a clear reminder to take necessary precautions during those peak hours when UV exposure is at its most damaging.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 14:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 16:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index experiences significant variability throughout the year, with extreme levels peaking in the early months. January, February, March, and April all reflect a consistently high UV Index of 16, indicating an extreme exposure category with a burn time of only 10 minutes. Following this, the intensity slightly decreases in May and June, where the UV Index remains very high but allows for a longer burn time of 15 minutes. August sees a return to extreme levels, continuing through September, October, November, and December, with burn times again limited to 10 minutes. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautions during the high-risk months of January to April and then again in August through November. It's crucial to wear protective clothing, apply broad-spectrum sunscreen regularly, and seek shade to minimize the risk of overexposure to harmful UV radiation.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matola UVI | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 14 |
| Maputo UVI | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 14 |
| Beira UVI | 16 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 14 |
| Chimoio UVI | 16 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 |
| Mozambique | 16 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 |
| Nampula UVI | 17 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 |