Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Laiagam, Papua New Guinea is essential for protecting your skin and overall health from the sun's harmful rays. With the region's tropical climate, residents and visitors alike face significant UV exposure risks, especially during midday when indices can soar to levels exceeding 11. By staying informed about UV levels, you can effectively prevent sunburn, reduce the risk of skin damage, and enjoy the outdoors safely. Remember, even when the UV Index is low in the morning or late afternoon, it's crucial to stay vigilant to ensure your skin remains protected throughout the day.
The UV index today paints a vivid picture of sun intensity throughout the hours. Starting at 7:00 AM, the index is a mere 1, a whisper of sunlight. By 9:00 AM, it begins to rise, hitting 4, and by 10:00 AM, it skyrockets to 8, indicating stronger exposure. The peak occurs at 12:00 PM, reaching a blistering 13, where sun safety becomes crucial. This high intensity persists until 1:00 PM, before tapering off to 10 by 2:00 PM, and then gradually diminishing throughout the afternoon and evening, concluding with a low of 0 by 7:00 PM. Stay vigilant under the midday sun, as the rays pack a punch!
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 | 4 | 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 levels remain critically high, peaking in the early months from January to April with a consistent index of 18, categorizing exposure as extreme and a burn time of just 10 minutes. Even as slightly lower UV levels occur in the summer months, May through August, the UV Index remains in the 12 to 15 range, still classified as extreme. September experiences a temporary uptick to 17, before tapering to 16 during the fall and winter months from October to December. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautionary measures during all months, particularly from January through March, by wearing protective clothing, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, and seeking shade to avoid severe skin damage. Remember, even on cloudy days, harmful UV rays can penetrate through the clouds, so stay vigilant year-round.
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 |
Laiagam | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 |