Last updated: August 1, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Aranos, Namibia, is crucial for safeguarding your skin and overall health. With sunburn prevention and long-term skin health being paramount, awareness of UV levels can make a significant difference in your daily outdoor activities. Aranos, situated in a BWh climate zone, experiences high UV exposure, especially during midafternoon when the index peaks at 7. By familiarizing yourself with these UV levels, you can take proactive measures to enjoy the sunny days safely and minimize potential skin damage.
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins its ascent, peaking at 7 between 1 PM and 2 PM, indicating a substantial risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. The day starts off slowly, with a 0 at 7 AM, climbing to a mild 1 by 8 AM. By 11 AM, the index hits 5, urging cautious sunbathing. Anticipate the highest values around noon, when it reaches 6, perfect for seeking shade or applying sunscreen. The afternoon sees a slight decline, dropping to 4 at 3 PM, before settling back down to a meager 1 by 5 PM and fading to 0 once again as the sun sets at 7 PM. Stay vigilant throughout your day; from late morning to early afternoon, it’s all about protecting your skin!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV levels exhibit significant seasonal variations, with extreme exposure categories dominating the winter and late fall months. The highest-risk months are January, February, March, April, September, October, November, and December, consistently registering an extreme UV Index of 16 to 14, where the burn time is a mere 10 minutes. The spring sees a slight reduction in UV levels, tapering from 14 in March to 11 in April. By May, the UV Index drops to 8, categorized as very high, allowing a longer burn time of 15 minutes. Summer months, particularly June and July, offer slightly lower levels of UV exposure, categorized as high with burn times of 25 minutes. However, August returns to a very high classification with a UV Index of 9. Visitors and residents should stay vigilant during the high-risk periods, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, seeking shade, and limiting sun exposure, especially during midday hours, to minimize the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swakopmund UVI | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| Walvis Bay UVI | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| Aranos | 16 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| Windhoek UVI | 16 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| Rundu UVI | 17 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 |
| Oshakati UVI | 17 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |