Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Opua, New Zealand, is crucial for safeguarding your skin and overall health during sunlight exposure. With varying UV levels throughout the day, being aware of these changes can help you prevent painful sunburns and long-term skin damage. Opua, nestled in a Cfb climate zone, experiences moderate UV exposure, particularly peaking between 10 AM and 2 PM when values can reach up to 5. Embracing awareness of the UV Index allows residents and visitors to enjoy the beautiful outdoors while protecting themselves from harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation.
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins at a low 1 at 7:00 AM, indicating minimal sun exposure risk. By 9:00 AM, it climbs to 2, suggesting it's time to start thinking about sun protection. The intensity peaks at 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM, reaching a high of 5, at which point it's crucial to apply sunscreen and seek shade. As the afternoon progresses, the index gently declines to 4 by 2:00 PM and further down to 2 by 3:00 PM. By 5:00 PM, the risk decreases significantly to 1, before tapering off to 0 after 6:00 PM, signaling a safe window for evening activities. Be mindful of the sun’s strength during the midday hours!
| 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 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 13:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 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 |
The UV Index shows significant seasonal variation, with the highest values occurring during the winter months of January, February, and December, where an extreme risk level is present (UV Index 14) with a burn time of just 10 minutes. March also remains perilous with a UV Index of 11, classified as extreme. As spring approaches, April sees a decrease to a very high level (UV Index 8), while May and June shift to a moderate range (UV Index 5 and 3, respectively), allowing for longer exposure times of 30 minutes. In the late summer and early fall, UV levels remain moderate but peak again in September (UV Index 7), transitioning to a very high level in October (UV Index 10) and rising back to extreme in November (UV Index 12). Residents and visitors should take precautions during the high-risk months of January, February, March, October, and November by wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen frequently, and limiting direct sunlight exposure to mitigate the risk of 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 |
| Opua | 14 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 14 |