Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Buin, Papua New Guinea, understanding the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and overall health. With the region’s tropical climate characterized by high temperatures and strong sunlight, knowing the UV levels can help you prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage. From morning until evening, UV exposure varies significantly, peaking around noon with an index of 11, indicating a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Being aware of these levels allows residents and visitors alike to take proactive measures, ensuring safe and enjoyable outdoor experiences in this beautiful, sun-soaked paradise.
As the sun rises and warms the day, the UV Index begins at a mild 1 at 07:00 and 08:00, making it safe to venture outdoors without much protection. By 09:00, it jumps to a moderate 3, hinting at the increasing intensity. The real peak arrives between 11:00 and 13:00, where the index soars to an impressive 11, signifying a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. As the afternoon rolls on, the index gradually dips, dropping to 10 at 14:00 and then descending through the late afternoon to 2 by 17:00. The sun sets the scene for a safe evening as the index returns to 1 at 18:00, finally resting at 0 by 19:00. This hourly dance of UV radiation highlights the importance of sun safety during those peak hours!
| 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 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index experiences notable seasonal changes, remaining consistently high throughout the year. January to April sees a UV Index ranging from 15 to 16, classified as extreme, indicating a burn time of just 10 minutes. As we move into May and June, the index slightly decreases to 13 and 11, respectively, but still falls within the extreme category. July and August maintain this moderate level, before increasing again to 15 in September and October. Notably, November also returns to a UV Index of 15, tapering off slightly in December with an index of 14. The high-risk months for UV exposure are from January to October, where the potential for sunburn is critically high. Visitors and residents are advised to take precautionary measures, such as wearing protective clothing, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, and minimizing sun exposure during peak hours to protect against harmful UV radiation.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Moresby UVI | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 |
| Buin | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
| Arawa UVI | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
| Popondetta UVI | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 |
| Lae UVI | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
| Mount Hagen UVI | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 |