Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Kundiawa, Papua New Guinea, understanding the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and overall health. With the region's tropical climate, UV levels can reach extreme heights, especially during midday hours, peaking at an alarming 13 around noon. Awareness of these levels is essential to prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage, allowing residents and visitors alike to enjoy the outdoors safely. With UV exposure increasing significantly by the late morning, it’s vital to stay informed and take necessary precautions during the sunniest times of the day.
The hourly UV Index paints a vivid picture of the sun's intensity throughout the day. Morning hours start with a gentle rise, peaking at 8 by 10:00 AM. As the clock strikes 11:00 AM, the index climbs to a robust 11, reaching its zenith of 13 at noon and continuing at that level until 1:00 PM. Early afternoon maintains a strong presence with readings of 10 at 2:00 PM, before a gradual decline begins. By 3:00 PM, it dips to 7, and as the day winds down, the UV Index decreases significantly to 3 at 4:00 PM, then falls sharply back to 1 by 5:00 PM, where it remains until the day closes with a 0 by 7:00 PM. If you’re planning outdoor activities, the most intense sun exposure is clearly between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, making those hours the ones to seek shade or apply sunscreen for protection.
| 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 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 16:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV Index values display a consistent pattern of extreme exposure, particularly from January to April, peaking at an index of 18. The high-risk months for sun exposure are notably the first four months, where the burn time is as brief as 10 minutes. As the season shifts into late spring and summer (May to August), UV Index values decrease slightly but remain in the extreme category, necessitating vigilance. The trend continues into the fall, with September through November showing UV indexes hovering around 16-17, still classified as extreme. Residents and visitors are strongly advised to take precautions year-round, including wearing protective clothing, applying high-SPF sunscreen, and seeking shade, especially during peak hours of sunlight.
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 |
| 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 |
| Kundiawa | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 |