Last updated: August 1, 2025
In Taro, Solomon Islands, awareness of the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors alike, as it serves as a vital guide to understanding daily sun exposure. With UV levels peaking at 11 during midday, it's essential to grasp these readings to effectively prevent sunburn and protect your skin health. The warm, tropical climate of Taro means that UV exposure risks can be significant, particularly between 10 AM and 2 PM, when the sun’s rays are most intense. Staying informed about the UV Index helps you enjoy the beautiful outdoors while safeguarding your skin against harmful effects.
As the sun rises, the UV Index starts off low at 1 around 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM, making early hours relatively safe for outdoor activities. However, as the day progresses, the intensity heats up significantly, peaking at 11 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, indicating high UV exposure. This midday sun suggests that taking precautions like wearing sunscreen and protective clothing is essential. Fortunately, the UV levels begin to decline in the afternoon, dropping to 9 by 2:00 PM and gradually tapering off to 1 by 5:00 PM. As evening approaches, the index finally settles at 0 by 7:00 PM, making it a perfect time to enjoy the outdoors without the worry of UV exposure.
| 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 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 13 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taro | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
| Gizo UVI | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Auki UVI | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
| Malango UVI | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Buala UVI | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
| Honiara UVI | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |