Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Aranos, Namibia, being aware of the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin health and preventing sunburn. Understanding UV levels helps residents and visitors take proactive measures against harmful rays, especially in a region characterized by its BWh climate, which brings intense sunshine and elevated UV exposure risks. With peak UV Index readings reaching 6 around midday, it’s essential to stay informed and protect yourself to enjoy the outdoors safely.
At dawn, the UV Index starts at 0 at 07:00, signaling a safe time to step outside. As the sun rises, it gradually increases, reaching a moderate level of 2 by 09:00. The intensity peaks between 12:00 and 13:00, registering a high of 6, indicating that sun protection is essential during these hours. By 14:00, the index begins to decline, dropping to 5 before settling into a more manageable 4 by 15:00. A gentle decrease continues through the late afternoon, with levels falling back to 1 at 17:00, and finally back to 0 by 18:00. This data suggests that the most intense sun exposure occurs during midday, urging sun safety for outdoor activities during these hours.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 13:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 14:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 2 | 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 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 |