Last updated: June 2, 2025
In Ambunti, Papua New Guinea, staying aware of the UV Index is crucial for protecting your skin and overall health. With the tropical climate characterized by intense sun exposure, understanding the UV levels not only helps in preventing sunburn but also plays a significant role in safeguarding your long-term skin health. During peak hours, especially between 10 AM and 2 PM, the UV Index can reach alarming levels of 10 to 11, indicating very high UV radiation that can lead to serious skin damage if proper precautions aren't taken. Being informed about these risks is essential for enjoying the beautiful outdoors while ensuring your safety from harmful UV rays.
The UV Index for the day presents a clear picture of sun intensity, starting off gentle in the early hours. At 7:00 AM, it begins at a mild 1, increasing to 2 by 8:00 AM. As the sun rises higher, the index climbs rapidly; by 10:00 AM, it reaches 7 and peaks at an intense 11 around 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM. After this zenith, the levels gradually decline, dropping to 9 by 2:00 PM, 6 at 3:00 PM, and settling back to a safe 1 by 5:00 PM. The UV exposure diminishes further, reaching a low of 0 by 7:00 PM. Stay protected during those peak hours!
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 | 10 | 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 | 1 | low | 45 min |
18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
During the year, UV exposure remains consistently high, with an extreme UV Index of 16 from January through April, followed by 13 in May and August, and slightly lower values in June and July at 11 and 12, respectively. Both September and October see a rise to 15, while November and December moderate to 14. The highest risk months for UV exposure span from January to April, along with September and October, all categorized as extreme, with a burn time of just 10 minutes for unprotected skin. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautions during these months, such as wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade to minimize the risk of harmful UV exposure.
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 |
Ambunti | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 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 |