Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Dargaville, New Zealand, being aware of the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and maintaining overall health. Understanding UV levels not only helps in preventing painful sunburns, but also plays a vital role in reducing long-term risks of skin damage. With Dargaville's Cfb climate, residents and visitors often encounter variable UV exposure throughout the day, particularly peaking between 11 AM and 2 PM. By keeping an eye on the UV Index, you can enjoy the beautiful outdoors safely while minimizing the threat of harmful UV rays.
The UV Index throughout the day reveals a gradual increase in sun intensity, peaking mid-afternoon. Starting at 0 at 07:00, the index rises to 1 by 08:00 and remains moderate at 1 for the following hour. As the sun ascends, the intensity reaches 2 by 10:00, climbing further to 3 at 11:00, sustaining this level until 14:00. After this peak, a gentle decline begins, with the index dropping to 2 at 15:00, and gradually easing back to 1 by 17:00, before retreating to 0 by 18:00. For anyone spending time outdoors, the late morning to early afternoon presents the highest UV exposure; thus, caution and sun protection are highly advisable during these hours.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 11:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 13:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 14:00 | 3 | 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, UV Index levels exhibit significant seasonal changes, with high-risk months occurring predominantly in the winter and early spring. January and February show extreme UV levels (Index 14), with a burn time of just 10 minutes. As we transition to March, the UV Index drops slightly to 10 (very high), necessitating a burn time of 15 minutes. The spring months of April and September have high Index levels (7), offering moderate burn times of 25 minutes. In contrast, the summer months June and July see a reduction in UV risk, with moderate Index levels (3), allowing for longer exposure times of 30 minutes. Notably, as winter approaches, November and December return to extreme levels (12 and 13, respectively) with short burn times of 10 minutes. For both visitors and residents, it is crucial to stay aware of these UV Index variations and take appropriate sun safety precautions, particularly during the extreme months, to minimize the risk of sunburn and skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christchurch UVI | 13 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 12 |
| Wellington UVI | 13 | 13 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 13 |
| Hamilton UVI | 14 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 13 |
| Manukau City UVI | 14 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 13 |
| Auckland UVI | 14 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 13 |
| Dargaville | 14 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 13 |