Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Molteno, South Africa is crucial for protecting your skin health against the sun's potentially harmful rays. With the region's BSk climate, sunny days are common, which brings higher UV exposure risks, especially around midday. Knowledge of UV levels is essential not only for preventing painful sunburns but also for reducing the long-term risk of skin damage and skin cancer. During peak hours in Molteno, the UV Index can reach levels of 5, indicating a moderate risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Stay informed and keep your skin safe!
The UV Index throughout the day shows a gradual rise and fall, peaking at 12:00 PM with a value of 5, indicating a moderate level of UV exposure. Starting from a safe 0 at 07:00 AM, the index begins to increase, reaching 3 by 10:00 AM and climbing to 4 at 11:00 AM. As the sun reaches its zenith, the UV Index hits its max at 12:00 PM, before gradually declining to 4 at 1:00 PM and then to 3 by 2:00 PM. After that, it gently descends to 1 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, before dropping back to 0 by 6:00 PM as the sun sets. Overall, the day presents varied UV levels, reminding us to stay protected during those peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 0 | 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 | 5 | 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 |
During the year, UV Index values exhibit significant seasonal variations, with the highest risks occurring in the winter months. From January to March, the UV Index remains in the extreme category, peaking at 16, which indicates an exceptionally high potential for skin damage with a burn time of merely 10 minutes. As spring approaches in April, the UV exposure shifts to a very high level, with a slight increase in burn time to 15 minutes. The summer months present lower UV Index values, with June and July recording moderate levels, allowing for longer safe exposure times of 30 minutes, before rising again in August. Moving into fall, September sees a return to very high exposure, but burn times remain manageable at 15 minutes. The trend resets in late fall and winter, with October and November returning to extreme UV levels similar to early months, again necessitating caution. Residents and visitors are strongly advised to take protective measures year-round, especially during high-risk months, by wearing appropriate sunscreen, clothing, and considering shade to reduce UV exposure during peak hours, particularly when the ultraviolet levels are highest.
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 |
| Molteno | 16 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| 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 |