Last updated: June 2, 2025
In La Foa, New Caledonia, awareness of the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and overall health. With peak UV levels reaching up to 7 during midday, understanding these numbers can help you prevent sunburn and reduce the risk of long-term skin damage. The region’s tropical maritime climate offers abundant sunshine, but this also means heightened exposure to harmful UV rays, especially from late morning to early afternoon. By staying informed about the UV Index, residents and visitors can enjoy the sun safely while cherishing the beauty of La Foa's landscapes.
The UV Index reveals an early morning reprieve, starting at a gentle 1 at 7:00 AM and remaining low through 9:00 AM. However, as the sun climbs, intensity increases sharply, peaking at a 7 around noon, signaling the most potent UV exposure of the day. The early afternoon maintains a respectable UV level of 6 at 1:00 PM before gradually tapering off. By mid-afternoon, it drops to 4, then swiftly declines to 1 by 4:00 PM, and finally settles at 0 by 6:00 PM, marking the day's end for UV concern. This hourly trend underscores the importance of sun safety during peak hours, especially between 10 AM and 2 PM.
Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
---|---|---|---|
07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
10:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
11:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
12:00 | 7 | high | 25 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 | 1 | low | 45 min |
18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index experiences significant fluctuations, with extreme levels dominating from January to April and again in September to November. Notably, the highest UV readings occur in January, February, and December at 16, demanding utmost caution with a burn time of just 10 minutes. The high-risk months include March and April, where the Index remains at 15 and 12, respectively, both still classified as extreme. As we transition into the summer, UV levels drop slightly, peaking in July and August at very high levels of 8 and 10, allowing for a longer burn time of 15 minutes. It’s crucial for visitors and residents to protect themselves, particularly from March to April and September to November, by using adequate sun protection measures, limiting exposure during peak hours, and wearing protective clothing and sunscreen at all times to minimize skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paita UVI | 16 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 16 |
Dumbea UVI | 16 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 16 |
Mont-Dore UVI | 16 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 16 |
Noumea UVI | 16 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 16 |
We UVI | 15 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
La Foa | 16 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 |