Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents of Bena, Nigeria, where the sun's intensity can lead to serious skin health concerns, including sunburn and long-term damage. With the region's climate characterized by high temperatures and significant UV exposure, it's essential to be aware of daily UV levels to safeguard your skin during peak hours. For instance, peak UV Index values can reach as high as 11 around noon, indicating an extreme risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. By staying informed, you can enjoy the beautiful Bena weather while effectively protecting yourself from harmful ultraviolet rays.
The UV Index throughout the day showcases a dramatic increase in intensity, reaching its peak at 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM with a scorching 11. Early morning sees a mild start, with readings of 1 at 7:00 AM and climbing to 2 by 8:00 AM. As the day progresses, the index escalates, hitting 4 by 9:00 AM and a notable 7 at 10:00 AM. The midday sun takes its toll, as the index spikes to 9 by 11:00 AM. Following this, it stabilizes at its zenith of 11 before beginning its descent—dropping to 9 at 2:00 PM and then tapering down to 6 by 3:00 PM. The evening offers a welcome relief with levels declining to 2 at 5:00 PM, and ultimately sinking to 0 by 7:00 PM. This hourly data clearly illustrates the importance of sun protection during peak UV hours, especially from 11 AM to 1 PM when the sun is at its strongest.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index fluctuates significantly throughout the year, with the highest risk months occurring from March to October, where values consistently reach 12 to 13 and fall into the extreme exposure category, indicating a burn time of just 10 minutes. January and February see slightly lower indices of 10 and 11, categorized as very high and extreme respectively, but still mandate caution. As the year progresses, visitors and residents are advised to take proactive sun safety measures during these high-risk months, including wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade, especially during peak sun hours. In contrast, November and December present a lower risk, with indices of 10 and 9, but vigilance is still recommended to prevent skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lagos UVI | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 8 |
| Port Harcourt UVI | 10 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 9 |
| Ibadan UVI | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 9 |
| Kano UVI | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
| Bena | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
| Kaduna UVI | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 10 |