Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Cofimvaba, South Africa, being aware of the UV Index is crucial for safeguarding your skin against harmful sunlight. Understanding UV levels helps in preventing sunburn and maintaining overall skin health, especially in this temperate region where the sun's rays can be deceptively strong. With the highest UV exposure peaking around midday at a level of 4, it’s important to take precautions during these hours. Familiarizing yourself with the local climate and potential risks can empower you to enjoy the outdoors while ensuring your skin remains protected.
The UV Index for the day reveals a gradual increase in solar intensity as the sun climbs higher. Starting from a mild 1 at 07:00 and 08:00, the index nudges to 2 by 09:00 and peaks at 4 between 11:00 and 13:00, indicating a notable amount of UV exposure. As the afternoon progresses, the value slightly tapers off to 3 at 14:00 and dwindles down to 2 by 15:00. The evening brings a steep decline, with the index dropping to 1 at 16:00 and then to 0 after 18:00. Stay protected during the midday hours when the UV Index is at its highest!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 12:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 13:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 14:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 16:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index varies significantly throughout the year, presenting varying levels of solar exposure risk. The months of January, February, March, October, November, and December are characterized by extreme UV exposure, with indices peaking at 15 during January and December and a minimum burn time of just 10 minutes. As spring approaches, April experiences a reduction to a very high category at 9, allowing for a slightly longer burn time of 15 minutes. By May, conditions moderate further to a high category with an index of 6 and a burn time of 25 minutes. Furthermore, summer months, particularly June and July, maintain a moderate level at 4, extending burn times to 30 minutes. Moving into late summer, August's UV is high again at 7, with a burn time of 25 minutes. In early fall, September spikes back to a very high level (10) and shorter burn time. To ensure safety, residents and visitors should take precautions against UV exposure, especially during the high-risk months of January, February, March, October, November, and December, and employ sun protection measures, such as wearing protective clothing, using sunscreen, and seeking shade during peak sunlight hours.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Town UVI | 14 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 14 |
| Durban UVI | 14 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 |
| Cofimvaba | 15 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 |
| Johannesburg UVI | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| Pretoria UVI | 16 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 16 |
| Soweto UVI | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 |